love your body

The sun brings me more clarity. Despite the fact that this extreme difference in weather from one week ago (and, one year ago!) just adds to the growing powerful reaction from the earth from its years of neglect (in my opinion), I can't help but be happy for the warmer weather, even though its implications may be wary. Regardless, I know that we'll all be safe and happy, no matter what the implications, and no matter what the outcome. So there is really nothing to fear.

Today I reflect on something very important that I constantly observe both within myself and those closest to me: body image and body appreciation. Too often conversations between friends leads to self-criticism regarding external appearance. Too often I myself stare at the mirror in disdain, wondering why I cannot be my 18-year old self again. Too often we judge one another strictly based on what we see. And while it is ever-important to take care of yourself, treat your body right, eat healthy, life-giving foods, and exercise, it is also ever-important to look in the mirror and shower yourself with love and affection. This is where affirmations can be powerful. Try looking at yourself in the mirror each morning, chanting "I love myself. I cherish myself. I appreciate myself" - or something along these lines, over and over again. I take this from Louise Hay, a powerful healer, author, and affirmations coach. As you'll see, the more you love yourself, and replace a showering of daily self-criticism (which most of us are guilty of) with a showering of daily love, what you see in front of you will be beautiful, healthy, and alive. The more you love yourself, the more apt you are to treat yourself well, nourish your body with living foods and eat for fuel, not for comfort and pleasure. The more apt you will be to go on long walks, to practice yoga, to exercise - whatever works for you, whatever gets your body moving and full of life. We need to each make a commitment to total self-love. Self-love is greatly lacking - and in order to fully love others, you need to firstly be able to love yourself!

I encourage all of you to begin reciting these daily self-loving affirmations. See yourself as beautiful. Bite your tongue when you begin your daily self-scrutinizing, and replace this criticism with something beautiful about yourself. Grow to love and honor yourself. Your body is a part of you, do not neglect it. Treat it right, it has carried you for all of these years. Your body will respond to the love that you give it. Try to incorporate more raw foods into your diet - food from the earth. Your body will respond lovingly. Be outside in nature and take long strolls. Stretch and become one with your body each day. These are all great ways to love your body. Make sure whenever you look in the mirror, you thank your body for all that it has given you, for the physical power and beauty you've been granted in this lifetime, for mobility, for strength, for fuel. Remember that your body is part of the trifecta of who you are. Love it, and love yourself.