We all see ourselves differently than others see us. Perception is reality, as the saying goes, but what of the perceptions that exist due to “Funhouse Syndrome”?
Over the last three years I have been transforming- physically, emotionally, and mentally. I can say, resolutely, that I am a completely different person inside and out than I was 6mos ago, a year ago, 2 years ago, 3 years ago. The stages are recalled so clearly, it is as if I have cataloged my mental and emotional state through this whole journey. This mental and emotional transformation, I believe, perpetuates my physical evolution. Mentally I am more fit then I have ever been. Emotionally I am stronger and more confident than I ever thought possible. Physically I am effecting the changes needed to project to the world who I am mentally and emotionally- stronger, more confident, and more fit than ever.
It seems there is a part of the human condition that naturally self-deprecates. Despite all of the positive changes I have made inwardly and outwardly, I still find things about me, that force me to take pause and sometimes even wonder if my mind is playing tricks on me. My favorite analogy for the human condition that allows someone to wholeheartedly believe something that just isn’t real is the bikini. Just because they make a cute two piece in a size 20 doesn’t mean that the size 20 individual who will inevitably purchase and wear the bare-all garment will look cute in it. There are people whose brains distort their unhealthy bodies into long lean sleek machines fit for a cute leave nothing to the imagination two piece, much like a funhouse mirror. While on the flip side, there are perfectly healthy individuals who have long, lean, sleek machines to call their body, that will put on a knock em’ dead bathing suit only to throw shorts and a tank top on, while professing that more work needs to be done before they could possibly pull off something so revealing.
If our mind’s eye is much like our physical eye, with concave and/or convex abnormalities, causing a distorted self perception, how do you fit corrective lenses to something metaphysical?
The power of self-talk has been studied and documented by countless medical journals. If self-talk is the metaphysical equivalent to a pair of spectacles, how does an individual prescribe the proper bent in the lenses one fits the “self” with? Through soul searching, meditation, and practical evaluation, a reasonable level-headed logical person should be able to take the perceptions given to them, as rendered by others, and apply the necessary filters to see the “self” properly- or as properly as one is able. Utopian? Probably. The reality is that there are fewer and fewer people arriving into maturity equipped with the tools necessary to prescribe self adjusting metaphysical spectacles.
So what is the remedy for those afflicted with FHS? It would depend on the severity. For those who contract FHS early in life- and let it go untreated- years of therapy, antidepressants, and often times constant self sabotaging behavior bring the individual to rock bottom which then sets the stage for the difficult, dare I say near impossible, climb to the top of Self-perception Ravine. The moderately afflicted have proven to benefit from something as simple as surrounding themselves with positive, but truthful, comrades. While the least severe cases of FHS suffer under the debilitating need for attention, and will generally display a behavior affectionately dubbed as “fishing for compliments” to fulfill their need for acceptance. Generally for all cases of FHS having someone who believes in them and climbs down the ravine, shows them the way up, and supports them through the worst of the journey is just the ticket to earning a doctorate in Self-Perspectometry.
The beauty is in the balance. If you climb up the mountain side of Self-perception Ravine you may just find yourself at the top of Mount Delusional-lonely and alone, a size 20 sun bathing in a two piece or a size 2 who needs to work a little harder before removing the baggy T-shirt cover up on a 100 degree day. While my article today discussed those with Physical FHS, the same principles apply in the attempt to remedy Mental FHS. If you find you suffer from any type of FHS- talk to someone about it. Find a mentor, and get on the path to the Emerald City- your hot air balloon home to a happy life is waiting for you!
