Body Love

Body Love

One of the funnest things about being alive is having a body. I mean, I’m all for thinking, and find that a blasteroo, but being present in the body is without compare.

Just think of all the fun you have with your body, just sitting there right now. How awesome is breathing, all the way in, all four lobes, bottom to top, and then whooooosh, out it all goes, over and over, refreshing your whole system with each breath. And that’s just breathing. When I am enjoying an Unlimited Breath session, wowie, breathing is glorious!

Then there is the whole digestive system, starting with eating, ending with satisfying elimination, to be a bit genteel.

And we have to consider how much fun it is to move! Stretching is so nice, and so are walking, and running, and dancing, and qigong, and kung fu, and yoga, and sex, and swimming, and climbing, and all of your favorites.

Scratching itches. Brushing hair. Touching nice textures. Hugs and kisses. Walking on a foggy street, snowflakes on the tongue. What makes me enjoy my luxuries?

Relaxing before going to sleep is the height of luxury. Even relaxing right now, just a quick run through from toes to head is nice. How do I relax?

Oh, yeah, a body is a very lavishly magnificent thing to have. Why am I thrilled with my body?

I get a little sad sometimes thinking about how long it took me to really appreciate my body.

In the dark ages, I punished my body brutally; starving it, cutting, beating, sleep deprivation, correcting and correcting and correcting.

Things happened when I decided to see my body as a luxury, rather than a prison, or chamber of horrors. I was so abusive to my body, if it had been able to, it would have left me.

As I came to enjoy being in my body, I got a little less twinge-y. I stopped using pain-language, and so I don’t suffer with “discomfort” like I did with “pain.”

I spend way more time aware of my being, so things are way more pleasant to experience in general. Walking down the hall at work becomes a bit of an event as I notice moving through my feet, the flex in my ankles and knees, the swing in my hips and shoulders, the sway of my spine, and my breath.

Until we evolve into beings of pure energy, we will have a body. As long as we have a body, we will have a much more enjoyable time if we can find ways to like it, if we stop ourselves when we notice we are not treating it well, if we appreciate, and love our bodies.

Our bodies support us, quite literally. It is our primary life-support. The more we appreciate our bodies, the more we treat them with love and kindness, the nicer it is to live inside them.

How have I changed from seeing my body as the enemy to loving the body I’m in?

(c) Pam Guthrie 2013 all rights reserved 10032013

Giving a Rat’s Behind

Giving a Rat’s Behind

What matters to you? What do you care about? Where do you make a difference?

Life is challenging when we are indifferent. Life is challenging when we are self-absorbed. Weirdly, life is less challenging when we feel like we are making a contribution. I know it seems counter-intuitive, but, when I reach out, I take my attention away from the things that bring me down. At the very least, it’s a break.

We are the boss of our experience, not what happens to us, but what we experience. Remember? We get to choose how to respond to the circumstances we encounter.

One of the ways I choose to be a grown up, is to be an inspiration. What an exhilarating thing that is! If I choose to be an inspiration, I am choosing to respond, not to react. If I choose to be an inspiration, I am choosing to act for the good of you, or even of mankind. I choose to act with a rational heart, with a loving mind.

I see you being an inspiration all over the place. I see you being kind to strangers, and sweet to little animals. I see you treating your kids with respect. I see your relationships weather storms and grow stronger. I see the look when you place a loving hand. I see you pay it forward in the coffee shop.

You have taught me patience by example. You have taught me how to bring balance back into my life when it feels tippy. You have given me the gift of taking emotions out of money topics.

Your kindness and attention to what I had to say helped me heal my broken spirit. Your willingness and open-heartedness to give care to your broken loved ones opens my heart.

When I see your real work, I feel motivated to do my real work. Your art, your music, your craft,  your words, your movement; you make it look effortless, and that reminds me that doing what I love is effortless.

When I see you choose to be a grown up, to take care of yourself, to ask for what you need, I feel the courage I need to do the same. When I see you accept each moment as it comes, I know I can do that, too. When I see your gratitude and appreciation shining out from your eyes, I am filled with nice warm feelings, and I feel so honored to be your friend.

And now, here I am, doing what I can to inspire. I believe in what I write to you every day, and I endeavor to live it. I tell you my story to help you find your strength to overcome your story. I tell you what I think and what I believe in because this work has brought me up from the depths of misery, loneliness, and despair to place where I am happy and peaceful most of the time. Really and truly.

And now, here I am, asking you to continue to be your inspiring self, and maybe to up your game a bit. How do you move through your daily challenges with grace? How do you maintain a loving heart? What makes you value and nurture your own self? How do you reach out to me and others?

How have I changed from not giving a rat’s behind to choosing to make a difference for me and for you?

(c) Pam Guthrie 2013 all rights reserved 08232013