2225_sOh, what a contentious relationship many of us have with our bodies, especially women in our culture–
So much pressure within social standards of beauty, a constant barrage of images of perfection.
Reality TV shows and mainstream media imparting the message, maybe not so subtle, that we are found lacking.

If we purchase enough, have enough plastic surgery etc. then we can be worthy of love and a happy life.
Of course, this is all garbage. Recent research confirms, as many ancient collectivist cultures around the world have known for, perhaps, thousands of years, that happiness is from meaning and connection: intrinsic values and interactions in relationship which we gain joy and solace from.
For many years, off and on, I struggled with some body image issues.
I see many of my clients, even the most young and beautiful, struggling with some kind of body and/ or food issue.
I have often felt that if I could just lose a few more pounds I’d be truly beautiful happy with myself and more appealing to others.
Much of the time, I didn’t take myself too seriously but sometimes I did and it was painful.
Now that I am a grandmother looking toward the last chapter I have let go of so much need to be attractive, instead, I’ve come to desire to be here on earth, to have a healthy body. This has liberated me.

What if we lived in a culture without capitalist barraging images, what if we felt at home in our bodies, felt the gift of our bodies? What if we believed that the body was precious?

I’ve learned that self-love is part of the greater love of everything. Little children are in love with the world although they have pain and disappointment, they are full of all emotions and they are full of wonder.
Our bodies are part of the physical world, part of the miracle of being here and being conscious. A lack of love for oneself and one’s body blocks the flow of love.
Self-love is not selfishness: it is a continuum, an inclusion of love and appreciation of everything.
Now that I have come to love myself more in this non-egoist way, I have shed some of the weight that I could not.
But it isn’t a big deal in terms of an accomplishment or attractiveness.
What is significant is that I have shed the weight because of a desire to be here longer to be healthy, to fully embrace life, all the seasons, and to love longer.