A Little Love

Every once in a while I hear people refer to themselves as dumb because the made they made a mistake or had trouble figuring something out.  Maybe they describe their hearing as deaf as a post, or complain because their memory isn’t what it used to be. Folks tend to lament they don’t have the strength or stamina they had in their youth. Women tend to think they are too fat or too skinny, their skin looks like crepe paper, they hate their hair. The list goes on and on. 

People, we are our worst enemies!

In a few months I will enter my 8th decade.  I could say the paragraph above pretty much describes me but I’m not going to do that to this body that has carried me this far.  I’m going to treat this body with the love and respect it deserves.  

Kindness is the motto of the 21st century.  We are constantly reminded to be kind to strangers, be kind to your neighbors, be kind to stray dogs, smile, tell the grocery checker to have a nice day, say thank you to the bag person,  paint inspirational sayings on rocks to be discovered by a passer-by. You know, be kind.

So with all this kindness going around why aren’t we kinder to ourselves?  Instead of negative self-talk why don’t we encourage our bodies to do their best.  Isn’t it better to brag to our selves a bit.  Why not say,  ‘Self you look fabulous today, you are having a great hair day, wow, that color is perfect for you. Way to go girl, you remembered everything on the grocery list, hey you left the list at home, but you did it anyway!  You are a winner!’  

If the criticism that we sometimes visit on ourselves came from someone else, we would consider it heartless. Be good to yourself, you are the one you spend the most time with so make it a pleasant experience.  We are fortunate our bodies have taken us this far and they deserve some respect. 

You’ve met my sister, Marilyn, in several of my musings, she is such a unique individual.  I want to share her ideas of self-talk.  In her 93 years she has seen a lot of changes in her body but every night she blesses her whole self. She literally starts at her feet and thanks them for carrying her through another day, loving her legs because they are strong, her hips are perfect, she blesses her digestion, elimination and reproductive systems.  As  she moves up to her heart and lungs she pictures them in perfect working order and thanks them for all they do for her.  The thanks her sense of taste for that slice of pecan pie and her sense of smell for the fresh cut grass outside her apartment.  I know it is a little strange but it is almost like a poem or a song she sings to her body thanking it for taking her through another day. If she bumps into a chair she apologizes to herself saying she is sorry she wasn’t more careful and tells her bruised shin she loves it and it will feel better in a few minutes.  She believes in healing love.

Talk to yourself as you would to someone you love.