Well THAT makes Sense

On Sunday, while innocently perusing the magazines at my local up-scale grocery story (hello Lunds you sexy thing), I was subject to a weight comment by the man standing behind me in line. I had picked up a copy of the Weight Watchers magazine, only to have this man say quite loudly "Well...THAT makes sense!" He was alone and not on the phone. He was not looking at any magazines himself. That comment was directed at me. Fat me looking at a weight loss magazine. And in my stunned silence, it was my turn to hit the register and leave so I did not say a thing. And that pissed me off big time.

Let's get beyond the fact that this man felt it necessary to commnent on a total stranger. His lack of boundaries. Let's even get beyond wondering if perhaps he has a social disease of some sort..the kind that renders it's victims unable to filter the thoughts in their head from their ever-moving mouths, making us all victims of their self-defined wisdom and brilliance. Let's instead look at what makes a complete stranger feel they have a right to comment on something that is just none of their business. The right to feel that someone's body is somehow public domain and open to scruitiny and judgement. I'm not naive enough to think that we are not looking at each other and making judgements in our minds, but most of us have the decency to keep it to ourselves.

In some ways, this is no different really than walking by a construction site and getting wolf whistles and catcalls from the workers. It's all about judgement and all about women's bodies being considered public property for men to oogle, judge, fantasize about, be repelled by, and comment on. And that pissed me off.

But in the midst of my anger..and yes, I was angry, I suddenly realized that old saying "what you think of me is none of my business." I love that sentiment. People are always going to have opinions and judgement. The fact that this man felt inclined to share his, has no reflection on me. That is a liberating thought. What you think of me is none of my business.

I now realize that if I could go back, I would simply turn to him and smile warmly and say "I really wish you a happy day and love in your life." I wouldn't perpetuate his negative mood by adding to it with my own. He has no bearing on how I live my life and maybe he's really unhappy with his to feel it so necessary to put his negativity out in the universe. So...super positive powers ignite. I'm turning it around to something positive and THAT makes sense!