The Naked Truth
Philip McCluskey on Saturday, July 5, 2008 Here is my predicament…
I have lost more weight than anyone I personally know, raw or otherwise. I am in uncharted territory when it comes to comparing notes with others. Besides my friend Angela Stokes, who can relate, whom can I talk to?
These are the thoughts that go through my head as I decide to peel back the layers of the onion of my life, only to reveal nothingness in the end. Stillness.
What does it mean to live an authentic and transparent life?
Transparency
A friend challenged me the other day when I mentioned that I deleted an unconscious comment that was left on one of my YouTube videos. In my mind it was a comment that wouldn’t have benefited anyone, but then again - was I hiding? Is only allowing the “pleasant” things being authentic, being transparent?
Why not expose it all?
What is there to lose, except my ego?
As I keep taking bolder and bolder steps into my future I keep finding the light at the end of the tunnel just keeps getting more brilliant, more beautiful, and even more mesmerizing as I bask in the peace of knowing that everything is just the way it is suppose to be, in this moment. Now don’t get me wrong, sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel feels like an oncoming train, where breathing seems laborious and thoughts of stillness seem as far away as the completion date of my autobiography. But in the words of my mother, “this too shall pass.”
Another Onion Peel
# 1 question everyone wants to ask but is always afraid to:
What about weight loss and saggy skin?
Skin
I would imagine that anyone that loses 100 lbs, no less 200 pounds, is going to experience a little bit of saggy skin issues at some point in time. Whether it's your arms, legs, stomach, or even your face, it’s real.
What to do what to do? I remember when I first found out about raw I emailed a bunch of the experts and they were all very encouraging for me to jump in, 100%. I was so worried about what I would look like if I lost the 200 lbs I needed to lose. Worry. I was more worried about my “image” than I was about LIVING! At 400 lbs you’re not vibrant, you’re barely alive. Crazy how the image of movie stars with chiseled abs had such an impact on me that I almost considered not going raw unless I was going to be “perfect.”
Perfect. What is that? Perfect according to others? Perfectly beautiful just the way you are? If I had chosen to fall victim to that perfection you wouldn’t have ever met me. I might be already dead.
See my before pics for proof.
Do I have saggy skin? Some. Most of the extra skin is around my stomach area, and some under my arms, and around my upper thighs. But its not really that noticeable, doesn’t bother me, and in the end… who really cares? I am working on it. Skin brushing, MSM, working out, blah blah blah. You know the routine.
Check out my latest blog about my interview with Revvell of Rawkin Radio, where we go into this subject a bit more.
Honestly though, this post is less about my skin and more about a challenge - a casting of a gauntlet so to speak...
What do you need to let go of?
My words are my liberation, that is why I blog so freely.
Do you have an outlet?
Are you stuck in your comfort zone or are you challenging yourself to grow?
Either way please share, comment, and let me know.
Your words will set someone else free.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Be a Liberator,
Philip
consciousness, spirituality, top blogs, transformation 
Reader Comments (9)
Thanks for your posts, they always have something interesting. I am finding that I have a job that is stressful, and I see myself reacting in angry ways, or just feeling angry frequently. I'm just starting to lose the weight that I need to lose, and it's a lot. My challenges are to let go of the anger and to let go of feeding the feelings. Like many things, easier said than done, but I'm working on it.
Jenni, recognizing it is the first step. You are well on your way. : )
Beautifully written, Philip! Your honesty is appreciated in a world where there is so little, and so much pretense. A Chinese proverb says "Slander cannot destroy an honest man - when the flood recedes the rock is there.”
I am VERY new to raw foods and have yet to discover what wonderful new truths (old truths?) lie in store for me, however I have an inkling that the abundance/lack theme will definitely rear its head at some point. Thank you for interesting reading as always.
It is quite amazing to witness such transformation from afar, but then the awe of such a beautiful journey in person is beyond compare. You are so blessed to have come so far, so soon. Congratulations!!! I cannot begin to tell you how much you have done to help propel the raw food journey into the mainstream - simply by sharing your story. Keep on keeping on!!! :o)
I am early on in my own journey - about time after 38 years - lost my mum which has proved to be the final catalyst in learning about life and love. I have glimpsed the ecstatic bliss that life should be and now crave it constantly, although I still fight with certain demons. Ultimately they will not win!!!
Phil, I discovered you via Shazzie's blogs and am bowled over by your energy. Please keep blogging and making videos and sharing your bright light and pure heart. I love you.
Suse (in the UK)