Strong and Clear

Your body is a temple, but only if you treat it as one.  ~Astrid Alauda


"When attacked by anger and hate, become like water:
fluid and flexible. Water cannot be broken, it changes form
effortlessly and is impossible to defeat. It will eventually
and always overpower whatever it faces."
Bumbleananda (1434-1535)

For me, if I start feeling low or blue, I know now to drink water. Our bodies love us so much; they are telling us constantly what we need to thrive. I have a good relationship with my body, but I'm just now realizing (again and again) where I am letting my body down by not listening, and needing water is a big component. So now I carry my Brita water bottle nearly everywhere with me. A gift from my daughter, Leila, and my daughter in love, Natalie, this water bottle reminds me to love myself and my body. It tells me to stay connected to my spirit, mind and body.

Self care is known and yet new to me. No longer in victim mentality, I am reawakening to the fierce warrior girl I once was, still am, and drinking water takes me there. It causes me to rethink everything I eat and drink, realizing I am making a choice with each reach. Sure I've been told in the past and near present what I'm doing wrong, but I only listened when the message was coming from a place of love. But for those of you (and you know who you are) who told me as Sarah tells me when I'm gunning for her...in a "preachy" way, know I thank you for caring and having the knowledge, just know I will not, cannot discount my precious person to fit your idea.

As in every rehabilitation, it must be a personal decision. And I have recommitted to being the vibrant, irreverent, colorful, sensitive, sugar bear girl that I am.

And so I raise my glass to you as you journey on with your beautiful, rich, full body!

Drink!


Dedicated to Leila and Sarah who have educated me on loving my body and who never once judged or shamed me and let me find my way, tickling me with tender direction.