Venting

Measurements of Worth

Weight.

Such a heavy, but simple word.

It can mean weight on the shoulders, like social pressures.

For some, it's the weight in someone's heart, wanting or having love.

But that's not everyone.

Some step on a scale every morning, measuring their worth on the number that flashes on the digital scale.

Even if they see their eyes sink into their skulls.

Some measure their worth on what they don't eat.

Even when others see collarbones jutting out more than they should be.

Some measure their worth by sitting beside the toilet bowl, fingers down their throat as they exile the contents from their stomachs.

Even when others begin to see things that they don't, like ribs jutting out from their torsos, or the constantly chapped lips.

They measure their worth by seeing how much they can put away in a day.

Even when doctors say they should stop or they could develop chronic health problems.

But it can take a long time for them to understand that worth is not the numbers on the scale.

It is not what you don't eat.

It is not kneeling beside a toilet bowl, fingers down your throat, coughing up that day's calories.

It is not how much you can eat in a day.

It is how much good you introduce into the world.

And when they do learn that,

There will be no wind strong enough to blow out that beautiful flame.