Oprah has opened scores of hearts and minds to the power of their spirit, of a presence that connects us beyond this physical world. Yesterday morning, I noticed I'm reacting strongly to her promotion with Weight Watchers, declaring that this is the year of her "best body." Insight whispered to me. "I want to have my best year in THIS body!" could be even more encouraging and positive for many of us who struggle with our physical mass, regardless of why and how we perceive its appearance. I know very thin people who worry, fret, and punish themselves because they are concerned about how others see them. I know others who see themselves as unlovable at any size. No matter what we eat, no matter how much we exercise, we are happy only when someone compliments us. As soon as we see a photo of that attractive self, we are startled because we imagined what we looked like and it isn't the photo.
Years ago, I started looking at photos to notice if my smile was genuine. I began to understand that even if my hair was disheveled, my posture imperfect, or my choice of pattern or color out of sync with those around me, when my eyes sparkled and I had a loving or joyful memory of that moment, I was looking (at) my best. When I saw sorrow, or worry, or resentment behind the smile, I learned to say "I love you" to that photograph, no matter how much time had passed since it was taken. Shifting what I judged about myself~ teaching my heart to love pimples, multiple chins, heavy arms, bad hair, and ugly spectacles (almost) as much as I loved photos of me with flowing hair, perky boobs, size 6 gowns, and flawless makeup moved me into a deeper understanding of what shows through my smile and beyond my eyes~ no matter what I wear or who sees me wearing it.
After my lifetime of delighting and despairing about my body, being surprised by how it affects others, and amazed at its resilience, I am moving into a phase where I feel strong, graceful, and healthy BECAUSE I honor my emotions, my health, and my spirit above my bulges, scars, and numerical indices (height, weight, clothing labels, etc.). As this campaign advances, I'm hoping that Oprah's wisdom (and Weight Watchers advertising) proclaims loving our bodies at any size. We need to accept ourselves as we are because these collections of tissue, blood, bone, and baggage are the physical, chemical, and emotional vehicles for bringing love into our hearts, peace into relationships, and creative energy into spaces we share at home, in community, and across the world. Nothing about my body mass index needs to change to make miracles happen. Now is my Finest Hour! This is my best body! Here is my best time for beginning to Love Life and Transform it.
DonnaMarie, 8 January 2016
Years ago, I started looking at photos to notice if my smile was genuine. I began to understand that even if my hair was disheveled, my posture imperfect, or my choice of pattern or color out of sync with those around me, when my eyes sparkled and I had a loving or joyful memory of that moment, I was looking (at) my best. When I saw sorrow, or worry, or resentment behind the smile, I learned to say "I love you" to that photograph, no matter how much time had passed since it was taken. Shifting what I judged about myself~ teaching my heart to love pimples, multiple chins, heavy arms, bad hair, and ugly spectacles (almost) as much as I loved photos of me with flowing hair, perky boobs, size 6 gowns, and flawless makeup moved me into a deeper understanding of what shows through my smile and beyond my eyes~ no matter what I wear or who sees me wearing it.
After my lifetime of delighting and despairing about my body, being surprised by how it affects others, and amazed at its resilience, I am moving into a phase where I feel strong, graceful, and healthy BECAUSE I honor my emotions, my health, and my spirit above my bulges, scars, and numerical indices (height, weight, clothing labels, etc.). As this campaign advances, I'm hoping that Oprah's wisdom (and Weight Watchers advertising) proclaims loving our bodies at any size. We need to accept ourselves as we are because these collections of tissue, blood, bone, and baggage are the physical, chemical, and emotional vehicles for bringing love into our hearts, peace into relationships, and creative energy into spaces we share at home, in community, and across the world. Nothing about my body mass index needs to change to make miracles happen. Now is my Finest Hour! This is my best body! Here is my best time for beginning to Love Life and Transform it.
DonnaMarie, 8 January 2016