Below is an excerpt from my book, “Body Benevolence; 8 Weeks to Loving Your Body”. This is a letter that I wrote to my body some time ago, to express my commitment to finally LOVING my body after a lifetime of despising it. Loving my body and embracing my body image continues to be an adventure for me. Yet, I have found that from the place of love I truly can care for my body in powerful ways and enjoy the energy and stamina needed to empower women, including myself, daily.
Dear Body,
For most of my life I’ve hated you. I’ve hated how you felt. I’ve hated how you looked. I judged you for not being pretty enough or athletic enough. I put you down for how my clothes hung from your “2×4” frame.
As a young girl I was teased for being flat-chested and boney, and for my frizzy hair. To make matters worse for me, my older sister was the prettiest and most popular girl in school. I felt invisible and unwanted as I watched the boys swoon for HER attention. I ate and ate to gain weight hoping to look less like a boy and more like a woman. But, you wouldn’t do what I wanted you to do and for that I resented you.
Now as a grown woman I find myself with a different yet more common problem… weight gain. I am challenged as my hair is turning gray and smile lines are appearing that don’t seem so funny. The “I wants” and the “I wishes” never seem to go away.
- I want to be in the best shape of my life.
- I wish I didn’t have to color my hair.
- I want clothes that fit me better.
- I wish that I were thin again.
- I want to maintain a youthful appearance.
I’ve gotten really tired of feeling this way. I’m tired of all this wasted energy that I’ve spent on trying to look a certain way. All of those false beliefs that if I were prettier or more seductive or if I had more curves that then I would be happy… I’m tired of them too.
I’m tired. Tired of the struggle to be something other than myself. And, I’m tired of all the messages that are thrown at me every day that tell me so. Please forgive me for being so mean to you for without you I would not exist.
Today I am taking a stand for YOU, my body! Instead of being your opponent I’m going to be your advocate. I’m going to work WITH you, enjoy you and give gratitude to you. I’m going to treat you with the respect that you deserve.
I Promise.
Comment on this question:
How will you love your body today?
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Susan Liddy is the author of the “Body Benevolence eBook; 8 Weeks to Loving Your Body” and “The Secrets to Ultimate Living; What You Wish You Knew When You Were 20!”. Find more of her tips and articles to create an ultimate life and an extraordinary business here: SusanLiddy.com
© 2011, copyright, All Rights Reserved Internationally, Susan Liddy, Susan Liddy International
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