You may have already seen this compelling video. There are others like it on youtube, of various people talking to their body (some are love letters, some letters of sincere apology). It got me to thinking how mean I am to my body, in both thought and deed. When I was kicking myself over not achieving enough or not exercising enough, my life coach stopped me and said, "You know, you'd never treat your pet or a friend like this. You would nurture and care for them if they are going through a hard time. You wouldn't dump more on them, you wouldn't abuse them."
She made a good point.
So let me think about what I'd say to my body, starting from the ground up.
Dear feet: I am sorry I stuff you into shoes that are too tight, too pointy, too perilous. Thank you for carrying around the rest of me, usually without complaint. There's no one I'd rather travel with than you.
Dear legs: Thank you for helping me beat that rabid woman to that couture blouse at that crazy sample sale and for helping me escape from a particularly creepy date. Thank you for steadying me when I am off kilter. I am sorry that I have covered up part of you, that I hate looking at those new spider veins on you.
Dear butt: Thank you for cushioning me for many years. Thank you for being soft when I am hard on myself.
Dear belly: I am sorry I am always trying to hide you when all you do is hold me together.
Dear breasts: I know, we've grown apart, but I'm working on repairing the relationship.
Dear hands: Thank you for allowing me to create through you. Thank you for being strong and capable, yet graceful and feminine.
Dear lips: I really hope you like the taste of Carmex and Viva Glam V Lipglass, seeing as I smother you in both every day. If you can't take it anymore, speak up.
Dear nose: Bless you for letting me enjoy the smells of lasagna, lavender, wet pine, and the skin of someone I love.
Dear eyes: Even with terrible eyesight, you manage to see all the colors of the world through your green eyes and thick glasses.
Dear skin: Thank you for protecting me from the elements, all the while staying soft and smooth. And thank you for keeping my age to yourself.
Dear hair: Thank you for waiting a long time to show the gray.
Dear body: Thank you for letting me stay a while. I'll do my best not to wreck the place.
What would you say to your body? We'd love to know.