Why is it so easy to take for granted, disrespect, or even be downright mean to our bodies? Looking back on the way I've thought and spoken about my body? Yikes! If I ever had a "friend" that treated me the way I've treated my body, I would've cut them out of my life a long time ago. Thankfully, my body has stuck around and been a much better friend to me than I've been to it. But I've learned better now. I'm actually a person my body would want to be friends with; I can offer it a healthy relationship finally. Whew!
"Our bodies are so resilient. Sometimes I really feel into and sense the magnitude of how wild it is that our bodies are constantly working for us - even in moments when we are having the worst time in them. Every single cell doing the best it can in any moment to give us life. I often think about birth and death. The entry and exit point and all of the processes the body goes through along the way, that we are witness to, not only in our own bodies, the bodies of those around us, too.
"Every now and again I'll watch one of those documentaries on how the body is made, and it literally floors me every time. It's one of the best ways for me to come back to a basic gratitude that I get to be alive, nothing more than that and that I'm worthy simply because I exist. I've also had the heartbreaking privilege and honour to witness the death of a loved one, when the body packs up to go home for this life. And in the immense realization that comes with knowing that their body was so valued because it held them all the way to the end and I got to love that person. I hope you can find some space in you to give some kindness to yourself and others. Be gentle."
No matter what your body looks like, no matter its level of health, it has been with you since the first instant of your life and it'll be with you right to the very last breath. There's not a single person you could say the same thing about. Even if we struggle with health challenges, our body keeps doing its best to support us the best it can. It is our oldest, most faithful companion. You've got to appreciate loyalty like that.