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:
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.
- 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