It Really Can Sound Crazy ... Until You Understand

There are things we need to do now that we did not use to, such as thank our bodies for all they do for us because we live in a culture that regularly reminds us that our bodies aren't good enough the way they are. Advertising used to tell people what was available to buy and what it would do for their lives. Now it asks us if what we have and are is good enough, then tells us it is not and that we need to purchase their item to be good enough and to be happy. No wonder we struggle to be happy with ourselves.

We have friends that moved here from England. Before they arrived, they had not thought a lot about their bodies. This was astounding to me. I wonder what that would be like, as an adult, to not have really thought about the way my body looked? What would our relationship with food and eating be like if we didn't over think this? I realize not all of England is like that, but it makes me ask what would our country be like if women didn't over think their bodies? What would our relationships with each other be like?

Did you know people from third world countries tend to be happier than we are? We usually feel sorry for them, but I wonder if they feel sorry for us when they discover the way we live and how we struggle with well-being? What they have is more community, love, and support. Middle class values are to work hard, and we seem to play less. It seems to me we have something to learn from them, that happiness and self-love is found spending time together, rather than isolating in our homes and working too much.

To repair your relationship with your body, try standing in front of the mirror and begin with apologizing to your body for the negative things you have said and thought about it. Then think of all the things your body allows you to do, such as go out with your friends/family, make a living, learn, and work on your hobby. It allows you to go for walks in nature, dance, feel the breeze on a hot day. It allows you to be mobile, active and engage in new possibilities in life and keep the current ones going. It would be like your own, private counselling session.

It occurs to me to ask, would happen if women everywhere started to see their bodies from this perspective?

I don't know about you, but I would like to find out.

Karen Cook Counselling & Therapeutic Life Coaching

Eating Disorders and Women's Issues Specialist

This is your season to learn, grow, and develop a full and deeply satisfying life.