A few days ago, I was thinking about my body. Not just in a general way but really considering it. I thought about how I stare at it and find its flaws. I want more tone here and more definition there. Nit picking really. Immediately, I thought, why not give more attention to the things you love about your body. For some reason, it can be seen negatively when someone says out loud what they love about themselves. When in reality that’s where the love should start. We should be loving ourselves flaws and all.
To further drive the point home, this weekend, my husband decided to show the kids the pictures and videos of me giving birth. He kept it PG for them. With my son, I had a c-section. My daughter was a vaginal birth. I took note of how I looked at each of them when I saw them the first time. I was obviously overjoyed and in love. It was written all over my face. What also stood out was how exhausted I looked after each delivery. It’s amazing how much bringing forth life takes out of you.
This brought me back to the conversation about appreciating my body. If delivering a child won’t bring some gratitude for your temple, nothing will. After looking at all the videos and pictures, I was a little emotional and full of gratitude.
A Love Letter
To my amazing body.
I love you more than I sometimes express. I’m sorry for being dissatisfied at times with how you look. You are capable of so much and it’s a shame that I take time to focus on what you aren’t instead of all the things you are.
If I start with the basics, I have to acknowledge that you move. That’s no small thing as it’s a privilege denied many. All of your limbs function as they should. The same arms I complain about toning are the same arms that held my children for the first time. The abdominals I’m working hard to define belong to the stomach that housed both my children until they were ready to greet this world.
I’m sorry for not realizing how amazingly strong you are. I’m sorry for not realizing how beautiful you are. You are 1 of 1 and that makes you incredibly special. There literally is no one quite like you. Thank you for bringing me through all these years. I couldn’t do any of what I do if it weren’t for you. I love you.
Love, Camesha
Have you ever wrote a love letter to yourself? Or to your body?
