My dd shared a blog post written by
Tara of The
Organic Sister with me today about body compassion. Go read it,
it's worth it and I'll wait. It was timely as this very topic had
been on my mind for a few days after various conversations and let's
face it a lifetime of struggling with my body and never feeling quite
perfect enough. There is a quote I read in a book that has been on my
mind the past few days which goes along with this :
“I can only feel appreciation for all
the places my body has taken me, and for the memories it stores, and
for the secrets it keeps. For the children it has carried, nourished
and nutured, for the lovers who have found solace and joy within my
hills and valleys, for the esquisite pleasure my body has bestowed on
me, for the exultation of passion it has expressed through me. My
journey to reveal my Authentic Self has become a romance, for I have
begun to fall in love with my own reflection. Blessed am I among
women to live in such a beautiful temple. So are you.”
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach, Something More.
I first read that two years ago and I
have not forgotten it. Isn't it beautiful. How can I not look at my
body differently after reading that? How can my body not be perfect
enough for me?
I am saying this as a person who has
had health problems and whose body hasn't held up under everything
that has been thrown at it. Yet hasn't it been perfect enough?
Despite all that is wrong with it
hasn't it been perfect for me and given me the most precious gifts in
my life?
I like the idea of unschooling my body
and look forward to showing it a little love, instead constant
criticism. To thank it for all it has given me over my lifetime, for
all the places it has carried me whether it be away from a bad
situation or into a good. For the strength it has had while in pain
and the pleasure in happiness. For carrying my babies and
delivering them safely. And for giving me the strecth marks to
remember it all by. Yes I have stretch marks, but I delivered a 10
lb 14 oz baby and it was one of the most joyous days in my life. To
thank it for being able to hold those babies and children and hug
them. For being able to walk the floors with a colicy baby for hours
and days on end.
And then as they are getting older
being able to hold back and let them go while watching them take
their first steps towards an independent adult life. I think that is
almost harder than walking the floors at night.
Thank you my body for everything.
Blessed am I among women to live in
such a beautiful temple. So are you.
So are you.