Sunday, February 2, 2014

LEB Workshop Assignment 3: Arms, Hands, and Shoulders

So a couple of weeks ago, while perusing BeauCoo, I came across a great workshop hosted by Leah over at JustMeLeah.co.uk.
The main idea of this workshop is to learn to look at our bodies in a new way, banishing negative ideas from our minds and choosing to focus on the great things about ourselves. 

I have long believed that too much time and energy is spent hating the gift that is our body. I began practicing what I like to think of as 'body love' about 12 years ago. I started by examining my body in it's entirety, frequently. I invested in great bath and body products, and regularly gave myself full body salt and sugar scrubs. I stopped wincing when I looked at myself naked in the mirror, and began smiling. Yes, despite stretch marks, bruises, cellulite, spider veins, and jiggles ;) - I realized that this is the only body that I have. There in began the journey of loving the skin that I am in. Like any journey, there have been ups and downs.

This workshop is sectioned off into 9 separate assignments. The first Sunday of each month a different body part is featured. Unfortunately I missed assignments one and two, which were featured December 1st and January 5th. However, I plan to run catch up posts ;)

The focal points for today's assignment is: arms, hands, and shoulders. It's quite fitting too, because as of late, my arms are probably my least favorite body part! LOL! However, assignment #3 encourages me to shift my focus. What do I love about my arms? What do they enable me to do? What about my shoulders and my hands? 
After some reflection, I came up with this list of random thoughts:

ARMS



  • My arms enable me to embrace those I love.
  • I like the skin color of my arms.
  • I have one small scar on my right arm, and two on my left. Both were caused by a hot curling iron.
  • I enjoy a good stretch.
  • I like the fine hair on my forearms, and would never consider removing it.
  • I am grateful for my arms.




HANDS
  • I used to dislike my hands, I'm not sure why.
  • I like the shape of my nails, and the way that they grow.
  • I like to wear blue nail polish, every chance I get.
  • I've had healthy nails my entire life, until recently. I slammed my thumb into a car door, and now the nail is in the process of coming off. Also, the nerves in my thumb are still healing so I experience pain when using it extensively.
  • I have fine hair just under my knuckles. I like it. I like hair on my body! 
  • My fingers are relatively small.
  • My hands enable me to enjoy life through touch. 
  • With my hands, I can: do my hair, my make-up (when I wear it), brush my teeth, wash up, get dressed, cook, clean, drive, clap, type, swipe, rub Patch (my kitty), touch my husband's face, and the list could go on forever! 
  • I am grateful that I have hands!










SHOULDERS


  • I've always loved the shape of my shoulders, and for that reason it's hard for me to stay out of tube tops in the summer ;)
  • Sometimes I like a shoulder massage.
  • I like to roll my shoulders back.
  • I like the way fabric hangs off my shoulders.
  • I am grateful for my shoulders!








Thinking about this assignment helped me to remember that I am grateful that I have arms, hands and shoulders. Some people don't, and they would give anything to have them. Yes, my hands, arms, and shoulders are part of me, and I love them.

XO

27 comments:

  1. Thanks for taking part Joi! I'm glad you have so much to be grateful for with your shoulders, arms and hands. You have good strong-looking arms. That blue polish looks gorgeous on you! Ouch to those curling iron burns, I know how much they hurt. I hope your thumb heals up soon - thinking about it makes me wince! I have little hairs under my knuckles too, it's perfectly normal for us to have hair on our bodies. I look forward to reading more from you in this challenge! x x

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    1. Thank you Leah for hosting such a FAB bopo workshop! I used to love my arms, but not so much as of late because they've turned into puddy! But, alas, they are what they are, and they belong to me ;) I can't wait to catch up on the first two posts!

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  2. Oh my gosh I am jealous of your arms and shoulders, you look like a gladiator!

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    1. Thank you for the wonderfully kind compliment!!! My arms flap in the wind like a birds wings, but I'm happy to know they look differently on camera! LOL I think my shoulders helps to create that illusion ;)

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  3. Welcome to the group! It´s great that there´s so many things you like about your shoulder, arms and hands. You do have great shoulders, and your skin tone is lovely!

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  4. Joi, this such a wonderful post. You have amazing shoulders. I caught my finger in a car door as a child omg it was so sore and since then my nail grows funny, just another quirk that is me :) xx

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    1. Thanks Nicola! I'm curious to see how it will look when it heals proper ;)

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  5. Welcome to the workshop! :) Your skin tone and arms are incredible! And I'm so glad that you are both proud of and grateful for everything your shoulders, arms, and hands have to offer. BTW I also love blue nail polish.

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    1. Hi Lynsey! It's so interesting to me to read how other people view my arms-thank you! I feel that they have turned to puddy, and try to avoid doing anything that would give the appearance of them flapping off in the wind-LOL! But nonetheless, they are mine, and I must love them :)
      I can't seem to steer away from blue nail polish! I have just about 50 other colors, but still lean towards blue ;)

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  6. This is an amazing post. I swear i read it twice. I have a lot more to be thankful for.

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    2. Thank you! I really enjoyed reflecting on this assignment, and truly look forward to the next one ;)

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  7. Hello, nice to meet you! Your arms are fantastic, the look lovely and strong, warrior women-esque, I don't believe what you say about them flapping in the wind. The blue nail polish is beautiful! really suits you! xx

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    1. Hi Roxanne! Yes, they really do flap in the wind! I have not worked out in years, and the elasticity in my skin seems to change every year! O_O
      Thank you for the kind words! I just can't seem to get enough of blues ;)

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  8. I really like the way you have put this post together, celebrating all the positives! The shade of blue on your nails in the picture is gorgeous. P.S Welcome to the LEB family! Emma xx

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  9. I think I "contacted" you when I meant to comment! Sorry :) Thank you for posting. I love how positive you are and you have every right to be; you're beautiful!

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    1. Hi Beverly! That's ok, thank you for reading my post and for the beautiful words!
      XO

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  10. Nice to see someone else join us all on this 'Love Every Body' Challenge. It's a great idea and I hope to grow in confidence as it goes on. The first thing that stands out to me from your photos is how gorgeous your skin is. It's such a beautiful colour and looks flawless! You have fantastic shoulders and arms. They look so toned and athletic.

    The blue polish is great! It really stands out on you. I like to wear blue and green nail polishes as well. They're something a bit different. Looking forward to sharing your journey xxx

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    1. LEB is simply fantastic! I am honored to be a part of it, and to get to know beautiful women on the same journey that I am: body love/self love!
      Thank you for the kind words, I really am not athletically inclined, and have not worked out in years- but I am so happy I come across more positively on camera ;) I like green polish too, but it just doesn't look nice up against my skin-which is kinda odd because I wear green clothes! LOL!

      I anticipate the next steps of our journey!
      XO

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  11. This was one beautiful post! It's funny how things that are your least favorite, other people envy. Your arms look so toned to me. I'd love to have them! Glad you're falling in love with them. You should! I hate my thick eyebrows but everyone tells me that they'd love to have them. lol I guess it is all about shifting your focus. Great post. Thank you for sharing this with us. :o) Hope we're following each other!

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    1. Thank you! It truly is about shifting focus and choosing to manifest a spirit of gratitude, which is easier said than done, LOL!
      I'm following you ;)

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  12. This sounds like a great workshop! Congratulations on stepping into this (I am sure somewhat revealing) assignment :) And yes- you have fab arms!

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    1. LEB is a great initiative, and it's helping me in more ways than one! I've been in a writing rut for years, but to have a topic that I am personally passionate about has certainly helped to set gears in motion. It requires allowing myself to be vulnerable, and I am grateful for it! Thank you and welcome to IMJ!

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  13. Wonderful positive post! Love the nails! As has been said your skin is flawless and you look so fit and athletic!!!! Nice to read someone so comfortable in their own skin!xx

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    1. Thank you! I am still learning to love my body, I believe it is a continuous journey. I chose to reject the notion that flaws measure my worth.
      Xx

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