Just this month, I have probably seen over 50 "before and after" photos on my social media. Friends share their weight loss or bodybuilding successes. Advertisements highlight the effects of a certain pill or diet. Paparazzi catch celebrities with their post-baby bodies. I absolutely hate this landscape of before vs. after. Obviously, I absolutely want to celebrate people in their growth to become healthier or more confident. The problem I have is the disgust we as a society seem to have for the "before."
Think about every before picture you have ever seen. The person always looks sad. Often, they are slouching, looking unconfident. Many times, they even change the lighting or filters to make it looks more depressing. I think people get caught in this "before" stage. They think, "Things are bad now, but someday, when I'm thinner/richer/fitter/married/more successful, I will be happy."
I could do a lot of things differently in my classroom, but that does not mean I'm not a good teacher right now. I'd really like to lose 25 pounds, but that does not mean I'm repulsive at my current weight. I could be in much better shape, but that doesn't mean I'm not strong as I am. I don't want to think of myself as the before picture. I want every image I have of myself to one with a positive filter.
A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about hope. I truly believe hope is an incredible force that helps us move forward and grow as human beings. We can always do better. We can always believe there will be better. Hope, however, can cross the line into unattainable expectations. I have great hope for the future for those I love and the world and myself. The world right now, though, is beautiful. The me I am right now is important.
