Do you ever stop and ask yourself – What is this thing, I have called a body which I travel around in? This vehicle, object, this carcass or shell?
Did we choose it? No. Does it serve us? Yes, most of the time unless it rebels against us and makes us feel ill.
Do we like it? Hmmm there’s a good question!
But an even bigger question is – Do we live, love and accept it peacefully from within? Can you stand in front of your mirror and approve of every part of you? Now I don’t know about you but it will take longer than the average 30 seconds in a day to answer that one!
I am going to use the analogy of the car here to illustrate my point as simply as possible because doing it simply does it for me!
Ok, I am assuming you know your make of car here – Yes. Male or female, we’ll leave hybrids aside for now!
And your model? Well that’s your individuality, (are you sporty? Or built for comfort?) A mature, smart operator, dependable or reliable like a limousine? Or a small sporty number, good for handling, holding the corners and performance when required? Maybe you are the rugged 4x4 type, good in the rough, powerful, practical and adaptable to all types of terrains. Or a much more feminine, curvy, sexy, alluring and guaranteed to catch all the other drivers eyes!
Whatever! Back to the body here.
Just like our cars we all come in various shapes and sizes. Our figure (girls) and physique (guys) is what makes up our visable identity – well at least physically. Sure, we can play around with exercise, weights, clothes and make up (personally I don’t do make up!) but essentially we are the same make and model that came off natures production line.
So, does that mean that nature delivers satisfied customers every time? Well hardly, or the fashion industry, hair salons and plastic surgeons would be out of a job.
So, have you ever wondered what makes us strive to look differently or improve the way we look? Slimmer, more toned, leaner and fitter, 6 packs, cellulite free thighs, nice legs, flat stomach post pregnancy and so on. And that is just the exterior body work. Then there is the interior of our vehicle (Oh!). Boob job, male enhancements, bits corrected, bits removed, some medically some for cosmetic reasons. We call this the vehicle customizing! All of course to impress other passersby as we convince ourselves we feel better, happier and more fulfilled. Cruising around life or at a party.
What a load of tosh! The more pampering we have the more pampering we need – the more we need the less satisfied we are in life – the further from fulfillment and happiness we become.
So where does the balance lie for you?
Am I suggesting girls should not wear makeup? No. I like my wife’s make up. It makes her look healthy and happy. That pleases me. Am I suggesting we should not look at ourselves in mirrors as we run on a treadmill, push weights or stretch for flexibility? No. How can we exercise in mind, body and spirit if we don’t check the technique as we go? Am I suggesting we are wrong to use up to date clothes in colours and styles we like, as a certain confidence booster and self esteem enhancer? Absolutely not. If it helps us value our appearance, gives off an agreeable impression to others and makes us feel good, what is wrong with that?
On the other hand, what I am suggesting is, that excessive make up, an obsession with hairstyling, addiction to self appearance in the flesh, being extravagant with the clothing budget, becomes a treadmill to that elusive satisfaction. Maybe it is time to check inside and see what is really going on here.
Here are some suggestions (or drivers) which make us obsessed with wanting to alter our bodies;
- Feeling unattractive, low self esteem, lack of self belief, afraid of not being good beside others, afraid of not being good enough for others. Loneliness.
- Arrogance, pride, desire to be one up on others, feeling that unless I ………they will be bigger stronger than me. Maybe even a threat.
Does this shock you? Do you know everyone of us carries at least one or two of these thoughts/ beliefs within us. Even subconsciously! These beliefs, however much hidden, become our drivers, our behavior patterns and our personalities that shape us as individuals.
The most positive thing we can do for our health and well-being, is to STOP, take stock, identify our behavioral drivers, and decide where and when they serve us positively or where and when they are negative and self destructing patterns.
This is my job, this why people want to work with me. There are no rights or wrongs or a blanket rule for everyone. But the one thing that we all have in common is a potential self destructive ignorance of when the mind and ego can torture and make us a slave to them until we realize this and work with nature. That is it. (Work with nature) When it comes to seeing, listening to and respecting our bodies instead of opposing and trying to reject ‘what is.’
It does not mean you are putting up with second best. It just means that what we thought was second best becomes ok. Quite acceptable, no big deal and even what makes us happy. Trust me folks, the happiest people in life work with nature not against it.
They have cracked the code – so can you? It makes life so much more enjoyable, worthwhile and full of good memories in the years to come. It helps us attract the right kind of like minded company to.
“We can achieve what we can conceive and believe” - Mark Twain
Achieve, conceive and believe with your body in all that you do, starting today. Just as your car responds to being treated with repect, your body will respond positively to being treated with respect too.
If you have not already – try it! You might like it!
