Edited by author 01-23-2004 12:53 PM
In the essay “Out of Habit I Start Apologizing”, the author wrote “I should have loved my body better”. This struck something in me. It made me question whether or not I really love my body. Sure, I say I do but I do not really take the time to show it. The author was constantly involved in physically straining activities. Most people, when they speak about taking care of yourself often mean exercising. But is that really loving your body, or does it more closely reasonable physical punishment. It hurts! My mother always taught me that love doesn’t hurt. Society stresses the importance of caring for our bodies all the time. But do they really mean “loving” it. Is loving your body going on horrible diets that make you suffer from starvation and make you have to run to the rest room twenty times a day. Is making the decision to love your body to start exercising. Or is exercising ultimately changing your body into something that you want to love. I think that I have been loving my body for superficial reasons, not taking the time to ask her what she wants. Of course I give myself mental stimulation, but I often over look taking care of her. We often criticize women for starving themselves to death, and yes I agree that it isn’t about physical appearance. We ask how they can suffer from such an intense lack of love for themselves. Do we know if that is the case? Maybe they believe that they are trying to love their inner selves by trying to get it the attention that it has been denied. Clearly they are calling out of something. Obviously they can not be loving their bodies unconditionally, the way that we all should. But how many of us REALLY are? I hope that you guys don't think that I am anti-exercise, its just somehting to think about.