Well that got your attention, didn't it?
On Monday, I wrote about turning 41 and reflecting on the value of celebrating not only the milestones in our lives, but our good health, too. I mentioned a fellow writer who underwent a double mastectomy yesterday at the age of 38. If you do nothing else today, please take a moment to read her poignant blog post about saying goodbye to her breasts. Go ahead...I'll wait.
Pretty powerful, don't you think?
Since I first read Catherine's post, I can't stop thinking about the time I've spent wishing this or that were different on my own body. It's a very common, very real experience for most of the women I know. It goes a little something like this: We focus on our "flaw" (or, more likely, "flaws") to the extent that we not only don't appreciate the important things like our bodies' good health, but we fail to appreciate what we like about ourselves. Those "imperfections" become our focus, and some of us spend a significant portion of our lives trying to change or hide them.
Today, I challenge all my readers to celebrate their bodies' "imperfections." That's right, I said celebrate. Find three nice things to say about that body part you haven't always loved. While you don't have to do it publicly, I'll start the challenge by sharing that I haven't always appreciated my backside. With that said, here's my little love letter to my behind:
1. You sure can fill out a pair of jeans nicely.
2. You respond really well to exercise; lunges have made you firm and round.
3. You keep me nice and comfy during long hours of sitting at softball and baseball games.
There...I did it. And so can you.
OK, here goes,
To my tummy:
1)You housed and grew my 2 beautiful children
2)You are strong. The core of my body. You helped me get my current job.
3)You make a nice pillow for the kids!!!!!
Posted by: Alyssa | 03/04/2009 at 09:03 AM
Heh. When I was really little, I hated the beautymark/mole on my cheek. Then a little lump grew just above my lip, and to remove it my mum had to freeze it and then cut it off. It was a black spot for months while it healed. I think I was in grade 3 at the time, and I remember thinking to myself that I had gotten the lump as punishment for disliking the beautymark so much. Ever since then, I've tried to really appreciate all parts of my body!
To my stomach:
1. You have some awesome core strength
2. You store food for me
3. You're great for not getting nauseous at the sight of blood etc.
Posted by: Sagan | 03/04/2009 at 07:01 PM
Thanks for coming with me, Sagan and Alyssa! You guys rock and as an aside, I particularly love both of your #3's.
Posted by: Dara Chadwick | 03/06/2009 at 05:34 AM
in comments to my blogs is suerly truth. But truth I'd never thought befor. But I know now when I heared it from you, that it is so.There is an other part of wisdom I can't find the answer. Sound.But it is a theme that needs time to write and understand. It has to be a post...
Posted by: Yeni | 01/17/2013 at 07:00 AM