I get daily emails from “The Universe” and this was yesterday’s (so FA it rocks!):

The path to enlightenment is not a path at all, it’s actually a metaphor for the time it takes for you to allow yourself to be happy with who you already are, where you’re already at, and what you already have – no matter what.

Just do it,
The Universe

(If you’d like the Universe to send you emails, go to www.tut.com)

This one just reminded me of how I felt after finding the Fat Acceptance movement and also when I decided to dedicate this blog to FA. It’s like waking up and realizing you don’t just have a full and wonderful day ahead of you, but an entire life! <3

Monday after work, sitting in my car cueing up the iPod so I could listen to the Fatcast on my commute, I looked up to see a small family walking past. The smaller of the two children locked eyes with me and just smiled a great bog fat smile; I returned the smile instantly because I just couldn’t help it! And this brief interaction got me thinking. Smiling is awesome!

In the same vein as The Fat Heffalump’s challenge of positive posts in November (I will try, but if something strikes me I will post about it, too) I thought about a fun and positive way for the pubicly fat among us to sort of challenge those who would have us all hide ourselves away or die all together.

SMILE!!! I know, radical, eh? Ha! But seriously, why can’t we smile at passersby without fear or judgement? I have often attempted this, but other people’s frowns ended up bring me down. Not this time! I will smile, a big fat genuine smile, at anyone who passes me on the street or catches my eye at a stoplight! I will smile and say, “Hi” to any within an ear/eye shot! And if they don’t like it? Um, well…too bad for them!

What do you think? Is it possible for fats to live down the sad stereotype and just smile at strangers happily? I think so. I shall give it a go for all of November and get back to you on my findings. I hope you try it, too! Just think of a world full of happy and friendly fats! Oh wait, we already live in that world! Ha-ha! Rock on!

This week’s Tank Top Tuesday pic comes from Beej of http://flickr.com/photos/tootsicle. If you’re on the Fatshionista LiveJournal community, you’ll have seen her there for sure! Always stylish with a unique or handmade twist, this gal knows how to work that fatshion like nobody I know! =0)
And now you can check out her brand new blog: http://thebustytraveler.blogspot.com!

Thanks, doll! I love this pic! It’s all sass & glam and thank you ma’am! Ha!

**Exercise your right to bare arms! Email your Tank Top Tuesday pic here: notblueatall@notblueatall.com I still haven’t had any guys submit a photo. I would love to feature ya though. So please, take a chance, we love everyone here! <3

This post from LifeOnFats.wordpress.com made me realize that we must arm ourselves in a positive way against those that would have us hiding or shaming ourselves. While getting through to any major news outlet is nearly impossible (corporate sponsorships and all) there must be a way for us to turn those unsolicited dieting tips into a positive moment. So here’s what I propose: A neat & handy card, like a business card, only with a positive message and a website for them to look into if they so choose. This way they can simply go about their business OR they could see what it is that has you so happy and not wanting to diet! This is my first draft, please comment with your suggestions:

This was it’s not super confrontational. When they give you a diet tip or other such nonsense, simply hand them the card…or better yet, say, “Oh! I think you might like this!” and then hand them the card. Maybe it will feel less defensive that way? I don’t know. Just a  first draft and I am open to other options, for sure!

If you do like the card as is and would like the pdf for your own use, comment and I will email it to you! Yay!

I had planned a more visually appealing/grabbing  Body Love Attack (as announced here http://bigfatblog.com/body-love-attack), but the trees outside of my cafe? Well, I just wasn’t sure how to attach the hearts to their branches without a lot of equipment. Ha! Go figure, poor planning on my part. But I did use the hearts in the way I intended originally, which is to share positive messages with people walking by or into my cafe.

On the back of every heart I wrote, “Love Your Body Just As It Is” I’ve already had people stop and read & smile at me!

One of my friends stopped by and said, “Oh I Love this! These hearts are great!” and I gave one that said, “You Amaze Me!” to her little girl. She left smiling from ear to ear! This is such a great thing! I love doing this. And the sign on my door about weight diversity? Fabulous! When my friend started to mention doing a body wrap with a friend I smiled and gestured to the sign, and she smiled back and said, “Oh don’t worry, I’m doing for the pampering and not for any sort of body issue.” I do love her. =0)

What are you doing for Love Your Body Day???

ETA: My business neighbor, man in his 70’s reads the sign on the door about weight diversity and says to me, “Oh good! Most people don’t know what the hell they’re talking about anyway!” referring to the no diet talk. Nice! Later he reads some of the hearts out front on my flower cart and comes back and says, “Those are really neat! I promise to love my body, okay?!” Too funny!