The Beginning

My body is a gift from God. I have been taught this concept from a young age. However, for a very long time I have abused that gift. It is like getting something from your Grandma and then never wearing it, even talking about how ugly it is, or how it's a useless piece of furniture.

I have struggled with body image like most people for a very long time. In fact, it brought me into the darkest places in my life. This darkness consumed everything, my everyday actions from what I would eat to even how I would interact with those around me. This obsession with the "perfect body" quickly became crippling and debilitating. I became very shallow and egocentric. There is a constant comparison that occurs between you and everyone around you. Tonight this obsession and lack of life began to fill my soul and my body became a beacon of shame rather than of light. And while this could turn to a very morbid and depressing post really quickly, instead tonight, I am going to turn it around before that darkness sneaks back.

It has taken me a long time to internalize this concept of my body being a gift from God. It has taken me a long time to accept this body for what it is. To realize that there is so much more to my body than the way it can look. Now I am finally beginning to understand; my body is strong I can lift things, I can stay awake to study for tests, my body enables me to hug those I love, hold my nephew. I have senses because I have a body. I can touch, feel, taste, smell, and hear. My body enables me to become more like my Heavenly Father. But what is even more beautiful is that my body is a shelter. My body houses the parts of me that are way more important then my outward appearance. My mind, my soul, my character.

My mother wrote me a letter a while back that had a message in it that read, "Outer Beauty attracts, but inner beauty captivates and lasts." Now I am not trying to downplay outer beauty, if you wanna wear tons of make up and that makes you happy do it, if you never wear make up a day in your life that's beautiful as well. When it comes to the body I would just say keep it healthy and nurture it. But not obsessively. In fact in this blog I want to share some of the stories, and things that have helped me to learn and accept my body but also ways I have learned to become healthy which has brought peace to not only my body, but my mind and soul as well.

When you are able to find that inner peace with your soul, you are able to find peace with your body. And once you love your body then the quest for change is no longer a quest based on comparison, but a quest based on a love of life and health. This is what I want for you and I. A life full of light, vibrancy, health and love. A life worth embracing.

xoxoxo