Dear Body,
I’ve never taken the time to truly reflect on how amazing you are. Instead, I’ve abused you beyond words. I’ve contaminated your very existence with toxins, mutilating the very definition of your reality. Years upon years of mistreatment and neglect. Ignoring signs you blared. I exploited you in any way possibly – physically, verbally and emotionally. Days turned into months turned into years.
Diet after diet. Restricting food one day, over feeding you the next. Extremely limited physical activity. Denying you the basic rights of a physical entity. And if that wasn’t enough, there was the hate-talk. The constant negative reminders about how disappointed I was. Blaming you for things you had no control over. Directing all responsibility on you, as if you were at fault for my disappointment. Never realizing you were only trying to survive with what you were given.
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As I sit here reflecting on how truly amazing you are, I cannot help but find my jaw hanging down. Despite everything, you believed in me and patiently waited. Although the abuse showed, you never stopped working.
Dear body, I’m learning. I’m realizing now, how amazing you are. I’m recognizing that if given a chance, you can overcome amazing accomplishments. I’m discovering, albeit slowly, how to trust you. How to listen for your signals. And how to be just as patient with you as you were and continue to be with me. I’m discovering how far you can take me and how, when we work together, how beautifully synchronized we can be.
I would be a fool if I said I would never again abuse you – but I stand here today to say that I apprecaite you. I cannot promise you perfection but my pledge to you is to recognize and be forever grateful for how far you’ve allowed me to come.
Dear Body, I apprecaite you.
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Note to readers: this post was inspired by the personal & vulnerable letters found at Letters to my Body. I encourage you to, at some point today, stop and reflect on how amazing you are. Mind, body and spirit. Your letter can be shared publicly, as I’ve done as well as anonymously via email submission or even more anonymously via regular mail sent to a P.O. box. While I’ve shared my letter here with you, I’ve also submitted it to Letters to my Body
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I love this letter. The fact that you can recognize the mistakes that you’ve made, and also recognize how much you love and appreciate the only body that you’ll ever have! It’s a real testament to forgiveness! =) You’ve come so far. I’m so proud of you.
I’m amazed at how liberating it felt to write this letter – thanks for your continued encouragement, lady!
Amazing! Very thought provoking post
Jen – I LOVE this post! I totally agree, its so easy to blame your body for everything when the truth is, it all lies in your own hands and it’s not your body who is to blame.
This nearly made me cry. Very well written and definitely something to think on. Thank you!
Amazing and touching letter, Jen!
Deeply profound and eye opening. I never thought of my body that way, thanks for sharing!!
Jen,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for posting not only your letter, but the website as well.
Your openness and honesty with your readers amazes me.
Sending love, kindness and respect,
Sarah
Dear Jen,
Thank you for your posts yesterday and today. I really needed it and they truly hit home with how I’ve been feeling but couldn’t quite describe. Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Tiffany
Amazing… just, amazing.
The lines that talk about how much blame is placed on the actual body when all it’s doing is trying to survive with is so raw and powerful because it’s so TRUE!
Have you read operationbeautiful.com?
This letter reminds me of it’s goal.
Off to read Letters to My Body.
Beautiful … you and your letter.
Well written! Well said! So true! I think this letter speaks to so many of us.
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