This whole week, for me, has been dedicated to working through some very old thought patterns. Big, bad, nasty ones that involve a little something called Body Image.... and my issues with it.
Quick Side Note:
[Old and deep-rooted thought patterns always take me by surprise when they come up, because I think I did such a good job uprooting them last time... that they must surely be gone this time. I am always reminding students of this- when it comes to restructuring habit patterns it takes awareness and persistence. But when it comes to me and my patterns....I have no patience whatsoever. I want it all right now. And, yes, even as a teacher and coach-- let me rephrase that.... especially as a teacher and coach, I am on a constant journey of learning new things all the time! ]
Negative body image is not just something that affects a certain type of person. There's no magic number on the scale, or certain features that determines whether or not your body image is one that honors you or doesn't. And, to tell the truth, while it can feel like a very lonely path to be on... you are not alone. I have yet to meet a person that has not, at some point or another, felt ashamed of, or wanted to change something about their body.
Unfortunately, most of the time instead of just loving up our bodies, and then making choices that support them in healthy change- we punish ourselves with our thoughts, words and actions. This abusive treatment can include: over or under eating, harsh thoughts, intolerance, etc... and does NOT, actually, assist the body in releasing the trauma that caused the negative image in the first place. In fact, it feeds it!
If we listen to what Tantra (as a philosophy) has to say about this... it says that there is nothing bad or wrong about having a negative body image, just as there is nothing right or good about having a positive one! What Tantra does say is, "Why not pick the one that feels delectable? Why not choose the option where you feel like a magnificent, ravishing angelic creature that smolders with passion and delights in life's every nanosecond?"
This magical world is one where wrinkles are the story of your life, told through your laughter and emotion. Sagging breasts weave an individual remarkable tale of nurturing and femininity... and in some cases, the story of a woman who allowed another human being to suckle life from her breasts. Our bodies are beautiful, and they deserve to be treated that way.
In a Survey done by the US a few years ago, it turned out that more than 50% of women were more afraid of becoming fat than they were of dying. Another survey revealed that individuals who used to be obese would prefer going blind or losing a limb rather than gaining that weight again. WOW. Do you see how comparison can become a dangerous opponent? There's no way to win against it. There will always be someone taller, poorer, thinner, blonder, fatter, younger, shorter, smarter, richer, etc... than you are. Always.
However...
there is no one else like you in the entire world. You are your own brand, and no one will ever be better, or less, than you.
Imagine you are in an immense forest with a thousand different types of trees. Each one making the forest even more diverse and beautiful than the last. Do you think the Aspen is ever jealous of Pine's dark bark? Or the Redwood feels superior to the Maple because her trunk is bigger? Of course not! And, our bodies are no different. Our bodies are a roadmap of each moment in our lives and choices we've made. They are individual to us, and Magnificent!
With the intention of supporting women everywhere in claiming a healthier body image, I propose this challenge to you, the reader (and, subsequently, myself):
Undress completely, and stand naked in front of a mirror. Take 5 minutes (or as long as it takes) to observe your body entirely: head to food. Get to know the "map" of your body. Now go along, one by one, and notice every freckle, mole, wrinkle, stretch mark, hair, vein, scar, etc... and pause for a moment at each mark to feel grateful and honor it as a part of your awesome body.
You might not be in your "ideal" body right now... and that's OK, because one of the points of this exercise is to begin accepting your body here and now... and not as it will be in the future. And, whenever you feel a harsh thought coming to mind about yourself or someone else....just counteract it with one positive thought, instead! Begin "re-writing" that need to punish yourself for being your Awesome self!
To move forward with positive change, and to experience different results, we must first accept where we are in this present moment.
May you celebrate your Sumptuous Body!
Until next time,
Cindy
Majestic Living
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