Comments on: Next time you look in the mirror and bitch about your body? Think about this guy.

By: Bronwyn

Bronwyn — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:00:09 +0000

I have heard him speak live, and he is incredible. As a former Christian, his words have had great meaning to me in the religious sense but I believe that his personality and the way he is so cheerful is also inspiring to people of all beliefs.

By: Scott

Scott — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:02:30 +0000

Quite a Bible belt gathering in here…I completely get where Mia was coming from with her warning, not everyone is so ‘keen on Jesus’, especially on the Evangelical flavour of interpretation.

Had he been a Buddhist, Nick would have found it easier to explain things. Buddhism has much simpler explanation of the cause of suffering – karma effects of the past life. There is a flip side to suffering, they say, as it will fast-track the clearing of bad karma and hopefully one will reach enlightenment sooner…Perhaps this is what Nick is referring to, to ‘being made stronger for what Jesus has in store for you’! Either way, it did work for him and it is amazing what he has made of his life.

In a way, he never had to deal with the attachment to the transient physical beauty/youthful athleticism and for a spiritual person this would have been a huge advantage. He is lucky, in a way.

By: Mia

Mia — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:33:21 +0000

I keep reading everyone’s comments and keep forgetting to add my own…..
What I wanted to stress what that I intended absolutely no disrespect to Nick or to Jesus or anyone who believes in him or anything else. People’s personal faith and beliefs are sacred.
My comment about turning down the sound was, I suppose, made a bit too flippantly and in half-jest, more because if you are not super religious and very into Jesus, I didn’t want that to distract from Nick’s story.
But yes, I know that many of you will say that the Jesus aspect IS a big part of Nick’s story and ok, yes, you have a point there.
Anyway. Let’s all just hold hands and agree that Nick is amazing. Kumbaya…..

By: Nel

Nel — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:06:11 +0000

I’m a looonngg time reader of your blog, read Dolly when you were working there, so basically grew up reading your stuff.
Nick is my cousin, so I was really excited that you posted his story here, as he it totally amazing.
I myself am not one bit religious and have no problems listening to that, as nobody should. He talks to people who are religious, not once does he try to force you into believing something you don’t want to.
His beliefs have gotten him to where he is today, happy, helpful and proud – so he’s sharing it with those who might find the same thing useful.

By: Kimba

Kimba — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:47:41 +0000

Inspirational indeed.

Mia, thank you for the warning. It was sensitively done and catered to all members of the Mama Mia community.

I’m not at all religious in any way, shape or form. I’m not Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Jedi, Pagan or even agnostic. Whilst I don’t believe at all in religion, let alone Christianity, I fully respect the right of others to believe in what they choose. It would be nice if religious people respected the rights of non-believers to not believe in whatever they choose, and to not assume that Mia’s “warning” was an anti-Christian attack. I think most people got that, however, which is happy happy joy joy for a lovely Friday afternoon!

By: nic

nic — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:31:18 +0000

I second Jaz and Lozabelle…very awesome And amazing story. I love In Christ Alone, one of my favourites

By: Katrina Roe

Katrina Roe — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:03:06 +0000

I think you handled this perfectly Mia. So many people would have censored the religious content completely by refusing to put something like this on their blog, even though the content is so challenging. I am a Christian and I didn’t find the warning even slightly offensive. It was kind of nice that you said he was ‘fairly keen on Jesus’ – understatement of the year.

The best thing about Nick’s little speel is that he addresses that age old question of suffering. Because serious, earth-shattering suffering will come to all of us at some point in our lives. Nobody is immune from it. And how we respond to it has the potential to define us. We can choose to be bitter and twisted or to be thankful for the precious gift of life. Nick reminds us that every life is precious and has a purpose.

By: N

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:32:35 +0000

I am definately not what you would call a religious person. I have (a few) devout Christian friends and I even know a pastor or two. I’m not against religion but it’s definately not how I spend my sunday.

Mia and everyone else here who isn’t religious, have as much right not to accept the message of this video as Christians have the right to follow and preach it.

Non Christians could just as easily say that they were offended by the message of this video as it is not their belief. But apparently they’re not allowed to. I appreciate the warning Mia as I am not Christian and it would have made me uncomfortable.

Great video. Nick is certainly a very strong character and inspiring man. More power to him!

By: Sasha

Sasha — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:26:25 +0000

Truly inspirational Mia. Thank you so much for posting this.

I also gain inspiration from Bonnie St John — Rhodes scholar, Paralympian medallist, from an underprivileged background.
This is also well worth the watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EtY5uq0UHQ

By: simone

simone — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:23:50 +0000

Thanks Mia. Next time I look in the mirror and wish my arse was three sizes smaller I’ll try to remember I’m lucky to have one!

I once read an article about body image and the journo said if you feel bad about your body because you think you are overweight, just try to imagine yourself as 50kgs heavier. Then look at yourself as as though you have just lost those 50kgs. You’ll feel a whole lot better!