This post is part of the SheLoves Magazine synchroblog. Join the movement by writing your own love letter to your body and then linking it back to SheLoves.
Dear body,
You are remarkable. You are strong and capable and for that I am so grateful. You help me run by the ocean and breathe deeply of salty air; prepare and taste nourishing meals; snuggle with my husband and my sweet puppy; cry with those who are sad and laugh with those who are happy.
I have abused you in the past—neglected your needs and desires in the name of vanity, self-obsession and even emotional coping. I’ve starved you, hated you and emotionally beaten you down with my negative thoughts. I’ve wanted to trade you in for a different model, certain that I’d be happier without the curves you came with.
I’ve done those things, yes, but now I see you for what you truly are: my home and my friend. Through you, I experience the world with each of my senses: I see beauty, hear music, smell flowers, taste chocolate and feel the softness of a cozy blanket. While I know you will not always function the way you do now at age 25, you are truly a gift to me—today, tomorrow, and for as long as my soul dwells within you.
Forgive me for all the pain I’ve put you through and help me continue to honor your God-given desires. I promise to use you for good and treat you with respect, because you, my dear body, are fearfully and wonderfully made for so much more than fitting in skinny jeans.
Will you participate in A Love Letter to My Body? If so, please leave a link in the comments below so I can read your letter!
14 Comments
I love this.
So glad! Thanks for reading. I hope you’ll participate by writing your own letter to your body–even if you just keep it to yourself in your journal. It is such a cleansing exercise!
‘my home and my friend . . . my soul dwells within you’.
This line gripped my heart this morning. I care for my external home and my friends, but this first and truest one that God gave me? Years of neglect, starvation, abuse.
Thank you for this beautiful conviction, Natalie xo
You’re welcome! I’m glad it’s helping you reflect on the ways you’ve wronged your body and how to treat it with more love and respect in the future.
Thank you for joining in Natalie. Beautiful.
Thanks Meg!
This is so great, Natalie. I definitely want to participate. Check my blog for a post in a few days. I’ll let you know when it posts.
Will do!
I loved this. I speak harshly of my body daily. I continue to pray that God works with me on that. I had twins 2 years ago and just can’t seem to get the weight off. This helped me to look at my body, myself differently. Thank you Natalie!
I’m so glad! In case you’re looking for more positive body words, here’s another great blog post by my friend Ashlee (who just had her first baby) about coping with post-baby body: http://wheremyheartresides.com/2012/06/22/the-awkward-post-about-losing-the-baby-weight/
Gosh thank you Natalie!!!
You’re welcome!
Oh my goodness.
This left me open-mouthed.
So touching.
So lovely.
Again, your blogs are just amazing.
God bless you!
Thank you! I hope you’ll give this exercise a go and write a love letter to your own body. It’s so therapeutic!