Appreciate YOU - Flaws and All.

“Who does not thank for little does not thank for much.” 

-Estonian Proverb

Almost a year ago, I decided it was time to face the music. 

I was very unhealthy, and I was 55 years old. I had four grandchildren who I wanted to see grow up. I started working on a project to heal my unhealthy self. It was hard and slow in the beginning. I remember thinking to myself during this time, "It doesn't make sense for this not to work. Have faith." Have faith, have faith....

And then one morning I was drawn to stand in front of the mirror and place one hand on my stomach and the other hand over my heart. I took a deep breath and said to my body, "Thank you for taking care of me."

Would age deter me? Was there more to those lines in my face? Then I touched the skin of my cheeks to feel their warmth and said, "Thank you for your resilience."

Had I destroyed my body's ability to bounce back? Then I touched my hands, my fingers, my wrists: "Thank you for your strength."

Could I ever believe myself again, since I had gone back on so many promises? Then I touched my throat, saying, "Thank you for your truth."

I ended the practice with a simple thank you. "I love you."

I decided to find a joyous perspective. 

The world wages a battle for an image that pronounces perfection. It's tempting to give in to it. I'm not immune.

I’ve always found it so easy to glance briefly in the mirror and only see what I dislike. But my flaws become harder to see when I feel the steady beat of my heart and the muscles beneath my skin that make my life as I know it possible. A wrinkle or sag doesn’t seem as important when my chest rises and falls beneath my hand during a mighty breath. Life is winning.

I still have mornings when I wake up and am not pleased with what I see in the mirror. However, I now also have mornings when I feel complete gratitude for what my body allows me to do and who I’m able to be.

I look at my eyes in the mirror and instead of seeing bags under my eyes,  I see kindness. I see courage and determination.

Thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for your resilience.

It’s incredibly easy to be critical of ourselves, and so extremely vulnerable to embrace our bodies, wrinkles, cellulite and all.

The next time you feel insecure, try reconnecting to yourself with a simple touch. Touch reinvigorates us with the energy that runs through our veins, our skin, our organs.

Thank you for your strength.

Place one hand over your heart and the other on your stomach and breathe in and out, feeling the healing impact of your breath on your body.

Thank you for your truth.

Stay there for several breaths, eyes open or closed.

When you’re ready, say,"thank you."

When you’re ready, say, "I love you."

Flaws and all. Supporting all actions that bring healing.

Cheers.

1 year of loving you can make a difference.