If you been reading my blog recently, you’ll know that I’ve been in a reflective mood about my body. It’s been snowing here the last few days and I am barely able to leave the house so perhaps that has something to do with it. Added to that, this seems to be the year to go right to the core of our issues and Self Love is almost always it. Yes, I know. It’s a HUGE topic and we are all on our own journey with it, right?
So, I have decided to share something I wrote on my personal Facebook page today with YOU. Not for compliments or sympathy but because it is my truth and I am nothing if not truthful:
‘My body has always given me plenty of reasons not to love it. It has caused me pain, stopped me doing things, kept me still when all I wanted to do was run and dance, made me sick for years, made me different from the rest, been the object of so much staring (and not nearly enough of the ‘I want you’ kind) because most cannot see past it. Even some who I thought did, proved otherwise with their comments. But I know it’s time to love it anyway. To radically change the way I feel. Otherwise, I’ll just get more of the same. And my body is pretty cool in it’s miraculous ability to survive and move against the odds, and in it’s huge resilience, strength and ability to adapt to all kinds of changes. I wouldn’t be here without it, either! So I’m going to cut it some slack and stop letting it be the reason I decide I am not enough, or too much or just somewhere in the blah of mediocre. I’m going to send love to my wonky spine and legs and brain – all the parts that drive me crazy – and see what happens. Because I think I’m a really good person and there’s no need to separate my physicality from that, is there? So hey, body, if you’re with me so that we can wake people up to what’s REAL as we go along, then great! I’m on a mission and I know we’re in this together. And I choose to love you. ♥’
As I posted this to my page I read an email from Mastin Kipp on The Daily Love. An amazingly honest blog by an amazing man (check it out at www.thedailylove.com) where he pretty much shared the same feelings, except he explains that his reason not to love himself is his weight. Which just goes to show that while our circumstances may be different, our Self Love (or lack of it) and the way it impacts our lives is Universal. And the ironic thing is, that means that while we may spend our days comparing our selves, we are not so different from eachother after all, huh?
In fact, I absolutely know that the majority of us have hundreds of excuses not to love ourselves and I also know that in the eyes of the Divine absolutely none of them make any sense. How does our shape, size, movement make us less than anyone else? They do not. It’s the biggest lie we’ll ever believe. And I’m ready to let go of the lie. Are you with me?
Much love to you, to me and everyBODY.
Anna
12 Comments
Hey Honey,
Just the other day I talked to a girl -who I truly thought- had it all: coolio boyfriend, absolutely gorgeous looks, awesome skinny body, the most beautiful eyes, a huge heart, very intelligent with a good job, always dressed to the nines. BUT she told me that she thinks she’s too fat and absolutely so not beautiful. I went WTF?!? But here you go, only because we think that others SEEM to have it all, does not really mean that they think so, too. I guess even the most “perfect” looking people do have their problems with themselves.
When I first met you all I saw was your awesome stunning face, abolutely beautiful eyes and the brightest smile that truly lit up the room. That you were in a wheelchair was something I only noticed after full 10 minutes LOL Whenever I read something about your “health problems” I go huh? ‘coz I still only see your awesome face and for me you are a model anyway and models don’t use wheelchairs or crutches LOL So for ME nothing is “wrong” with you. I only see your beauty, your golden heart and your LOVE, everything else is just tiny details 🙂
I KNOW, I should simply shut up, give you a hug and accept that your health sucks now and then, but I can’t, ‘coz whenever I think of you, I SEE only your radiating LIGHT, LOVE and BEAUTY 🙂 xoxooxoxxoooxoxoxo
(((((Sabine))))) You said exactly what I tell Anna. When I see her, I just see this stunning beauty…and never seem to remember that she has any problem at all. Actually many times when she is here with me, I don’t even remember to help her when she needs help…somehow the whole leg stuff gets overshadowed by her beauty and personality and who she is. And then I see her extending her hand towards me to help her with something…and I think…how can I not think of helping her?? But that is the truth…just like you, I don’t see it. And yet, I am very aware of all my problems. lol.
Thank you, Swati. I know. That’s what I’d hope all my friends feel. Now you can understand why I do/feel the same for you, even if for different reasons 🙂
THANK YOU DEAR SABINE. YOU’RE RIGHT, WE ALL HAVE OUR ISSUES, EVEN IF OUTER APPEARANCES WOULD SUGGEST OTHERWISE! AND IT IS VERY HUMBLING FOR ME TO REMEMBER THAT WHILE SOMEONE ELSE MAY HAVE ‘THE PERFECT BODY’ IT MEANS NOTHING IF THEY DON’T FEEL GOOD INSIDE. WE ALL HAVE TO BE KINDER TO OURSELVES AND STOP COMPARING ANYTHING BECAUSE WE ARE ALL UNIQUE! SENDING YOU LOVE MY SWEET FRIEND! 🙂 XXX
I have no idea why that all appeared in capital letters as I didn’t write it that way! I guess I’m making a point LOL!
Thank you Anna for holding the mirror up for the rest of us.
Bless you, Michelle. Thank you for reading my blog! 🙂
I am with you!!! Yesterday I was reminded to love as much love and compassion for myself as I do for others. Today I am looking at loving that which is not lovely or good. It is easy for me to love that which is lovely (like you) but not so easy for me to love something that is not seemingly good or lovely (like your pain) but I know that God is in both!!! Following you with bloglovin 🙂
Thank you, Karen. Yes, it’s time we all treated ourselves with the same love and compassion as we do others. Think of the HUGE change that would occur if we did! 🙂 Thank you for your support with the blog! Blessings to you!
Hi Anna,
Just recieved your newsletter and directed myself to your blog. I’m reading a wonderful book atm all about self-love and I’m sure you and everyone else reading this will love it. It’s called ‘Love for no reason’ by a great Human Angel called Marci Shimoff.
Sending you blessings and much love x
Thank you so much for reading and for sharing that, Maria! I will look up the book as it sounds great for us all! Blessings to you too! 🙂
Anna miss u so much and u knew very well I am unhappy without u pls come back my life ur missing love