Hello Beautiful Souls!
Sorry I was away for so long. I've been celebrating my birthday since August 16 -- bathing in the love of family and friends, eating out, having fun, enjoying every bit of what life has to offer. I thought of you many times, trying not to feel guilty about not posting. I must say I'm happy to be back, and hope I'm not only older, but wiser as well.
To continue on our journey, I'd like to share with you yet another book, one that is bringing me much comfort these days: Living in The Light, A Guide to Personal and Planetary Transformation, by Shakti Gawain.
In it, there's a chapter entitled Your Perfect Body where the author tells us to appreciate our body, to focus on what we like about ourselves. She says that the more willing we are to do this, the easier it will become. That our body will respond to this appreciation and grow increasingly beautiful.
For me, my body is still a preoccupation, and this bothers me. I'd like to think I'm past being concerned with the physical -- but no. I've heard that it's common for people who have been sexually abused to think they are ugly, to not like their body. Well, that's exactly how I've felt most of my life. Even if I've worked hard to break away from this negative belief, there are times when I find myself struggling with the way I look. So I've been following a few of Shakti Gawain's suggestions, and already I feel a better connexion with my body. Here are a few of my favourite exercises for you to try out.
Ritual For Loving Your Body
Stand naked in front of a full-length mirror. Send positive thoughts to every part of your body. Even if you don't like your body or don't approve of certain parts of your body, look for something of beauty in every part of yourself. Realize that your body has been serving you for years. Thank your body for its service. Realize it has only been following your directions.
For example, you might say to yourself, "You have beautiful, thick, shiny hair." Then look in the mirror at your hair and see its beauty, its shine and glow. Even if it isn't shining and glowing as much as you like, continue to see it and appreciate yourself as you are, saying, "I love the way you look. You have beautiful hands. You have strong, healthy legs. You have clear skin. You have shining eyes."
Run through each part of your body in this way and really send it love and appreciation. Find a way to appreciate every part of yourself. And thank your body for being with you for however many years, following your desires and serving you. It has been doing for you what you have asked of it. If you like, you can play music that you love, and use candles or flowers while performing this ritual. Do this ritual once or twice a day for at least a week. This ritual shows your body how much you appreciate and respect it. Your body has been criticized, judged, and rejected by you for years. It will respond quickly to love and energy. You will feel lighter and more energized. You will start looking more beautiful. The lines in your face will relax. You will start to glow with strength and health. You will be amazed at the results of loving your body.
Visualization Exercises
- Whenever you think of your body, see it the way you want it to be. Know that your body is perfect and affirm this. Take a few minutes during the day to close your eyes and visualize your body at the weight, size, and strength you desire. See your body as energized and powerful. See and feel energy moving through you.
- Use a picture from a magazine to help you visualize your perfect body. Choose a picture of a body that looks the way you would look in great shape, cut it out, and paste it on the wall. Place it where you'll look at it daily. See the picture as your body. You can even paste a picture of your face on the picture so it's your face with your perfect body.
Meditation
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Take a few deep breaths and relax your body. With each exhalation, let go of what you don't want or need; see any tension, frustration, or tiredness leave your body. As you inhale, take in everything you want or desire: relaxation, serenity, strength, prosperity, and joy.
From this relaxed, rejuvenated place, see your body before you. Imagine your body looking exactly the way you want it to be. Observe it in as much detail as possible. You are now your perfect weight, size, and shape. Your body is energized, strong, and powerful. When you look at your face and body, you see your beauty. You look exactly the way you want to look. You feel the way you want to feel.
You can feel what it is like to have a body that supports your spirit. Your spirit says "do this" and your body, in all its perfection, is there to match your inner wisdom.
You are beauty, strength, and energy.
Big Hugs,
Mudd
xoxo
To purchase Living in The Light, go to Amazon.com by clicking here.
Questions or not, I'd love to hear from you. Please email me atanxietybuster@gmail.com or simply click the link on the sidebar.
