I’m easily frustrated by the messages that advertising and social media give women about their bodies. Perhaps that’s why I was so moved by a poem that I ran across this week. Written by Hollie Holden, it first appeared on her Notes on Living & Loving Facebook page in June 2016.
Today I asked my body what she needed,
Which is a big deal
Considering my journey of
Not Really Asking That Much.
I thought she might need more water.
Or protein.
Or greens.
Or yoga.
Or supplements.
Or movement.
But as I stood in the shower
Reflecting on her stretch marks,
Her roundness where I would like flatness,
Her softness where I would like firmness,
All those conditioned wishes
That form a bundle of
Never-Quite-Right-Ness,
She whispered very gently:
Could you just love me like this?
Do you stand in front of the mirror and find fault with what you see? If so, I would urge you to stop being so hard on yourself. Take a few minutes and think about all the amazing things that your imperfect body can do! Think of it as a tool that can help you live life to your full potential. Listen to it, honour what it needs, treat yourself to a healthy lifestyle, but don’t beat yourself up over minor imperfections or natural signs of aging. Life is hard enough, without being at war with your own body!
Advertising seldom presents natural healthy bodies. It sets us up for disappointment, so it’s up to us to ignore the nonsense and aim for something more realistic. Doing anything less convinces us that we’re not good enough, that we’re not what we ought to be, and disrespects the amazing bodies that we’ve been gifted with.
We can have a closet full of beautiful clothes but if we don’t love the body that we’re putting them on, we’ll never be truly happy with how we look. Don’t let unrealistic expectations rob you of joy! Show yourself a little love today!
Following Augustine 
Right on!
🙂
So timely Elaine! I really needed that today. Thank you for sharing that poem.
I felt it was a message that needed to be heard. 🙂
Love this! Stay healthy but don’t fret over not meeting someone’s idea of “perfection.”
Exactly! Thanks, Dale!
So clear-eyed. Whose opinion, approval, applause, commendation do we seek? Can we discern the lies, the entrapments, the foolishness of popular voices? What thoughts will conduct us to freedom and joy and contentment?
Today I found the poem “Ulysses” by Alfred Lord Tennyson. It gives a voice to Ulysses in his mature years. I felt cheered to read it and will return to it again and again. Here’s just a sampling of this wisdom:
“Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
There is much more in the poem to give wind to our sails in our senior years.
Although our bodies are cherishable, we are much more than our bodies. They are the vessel, the treasure lies within.
Was it Amy Carmichael who said, “In acceptance lieth peace.”?
Take joy for the journey,
Honey Bee
Yes, I believe that you’re correct. I think that line is the title of a poem by Amy Carmichael and it’s very appropriate to the topic of today’s post. I also love your comment that “the treasure lies within”. For me, fashion is a hobby. I have fun with it, but I’m much more concerned with who I am as a person than what I look like.
Be blessed!