04 - See Your Body for What It Is
50 Years, 50 Lessons
Lesson 4: See Your Body for What It Is
I struggle with this one. It has taken me 50 years to realize that my physical body exists to carry my soul and move my brain around. It is the vessel by which I function, but it is not who I am. It says little about me as a person.
What does my physical body tell you? Maybe a bit about the time and effort I put into trying to be fit. Perhaps a story about my genetics. If you happen to catch me playing a sport, my movement might signify the values of my family or how I spent my time as a kid. You might learn if I care about hair color or style, clothing, makeup, or nails. My tattoos and scars tell stories. But, so what?
Beyond moving our brain and soul around, our body is also a sign of artistry. It allows me to express myself. It sends messages to others. And that’s fine, and that’s creative, and that’s interesting.
But what I have also learned about my body, especially as a woman, is that it is forever having to reinvent itself. It changes significantly in the early teens. It morphs into something otherworldly when it grows and sustains new life. Then it feeds other life. Then it reminds you of your mortality if/when it kicks your ass as your womanly parts stop being needed. Wow. These changes remind you that your body will do what it does – and not all of if you can control.
As a woman, I am saying: don’t get too attached to your body. Don’t let it define your self-worth, and don’t read into people talking about it. Being told you look a certain way for a certain phase of life is irrelevant. It’s a body. It’s not you.
Ways to love your body:
Recognize it will change.
Thank it regularly for its service.
High five yourself for stuff other than how you look (unless you are really rocking it today, then go for it).
Recognize that sometimes it represents the choices you make.
Sometimes it represents the gifts you were/were not given.
Sometimes it says nothing about you at all.
Don’t comment on how people look. That will either ruin their day or make it, and you will never be sure of which.
Don’t want, seek, or desire to look like anyone else. They don’t have what you have either.
Try not to get attached to any one thing. Try to love it all, if you can.
To All: Thank you for being on this journey with me – past, present, and future.
Julie
