Dear Body

In reference to last week’s post, Trusting the Signs, it only felt appropriate to follow that up with a post deeply rooted in gratitude for the body that carries me through this ever-changing life. It’s become apparent to me that self-love, and even more so, self-gratitude can build strength and confidence like no other. That is what attracts good things to you—truly igniting the power of manifestation—among other things. Besides, if you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else? (Can I get an amen, RuPaul fans?)

A week or so ago, I had the insane privilege of doing a workshop with Arielle Estoria—and if you don’t know who she is, you need to go follow her. She is an incredible poet, artist, and overall human being. Arielle had us write for an hour, focusing on affirmations, confidence mantras, and gratitude. Additionally, she had us write five ‘thank you’ statements to our own physical bodies, and to go a little deeper, adding why for each feature. Now, I’ve looked in the mirror and thought to myself how grateful I am countless times, especially over the past year—to be able to endure stress, change and adversity with every season of life—but never like this. Being an athlete through high school and college, fast forwarding into the growing pains of graduate school, and the weight of this last year, has put my body and mind through so much. Perhaps, this time, it had something to do with the fitness challenge that this was in—geared towards confidence in every way, shape and form—I was able to be so completely in the headspace that made thanking myself for showing up so easy. Grateful for the things that allow me to do what I love and express myself, the things that are so deeply a part of my identity, and the things that allow me to see all of the beauty in this world, even among the chaos and darkness. This workshop was everything that I didn’t know I needed; to slow down and really thank my body for holding space for me to grow and expand for nearly 28 years earthside. I shared my statements with Arielle, and it truly is something that I will never get over.

Thank you to my strong legs, that move and shift me everywhere that my mind chooses to go.

Thank you to my beautiful hazel eyes that let me know when it is time to rest.

Thank you to my mind that is judgmental enough to know what is right from what is wrong.

Thank you to my curls that wrap me up and remind me that I am two halves that make a whole.

Thank you to my hands that allow me to express myself, my thoughts and my love.

I hope that this inspires you to take a moment and thank your body for something today, because you have so much to appreciate, inside and out, when you look. You only get one body, treat it with kindness.