Lose the Body Shaming!

There's a weight loss commercial that has been running now that irks me every time that I see it. A certain spokesperson says "As women, we carry it here and here.....don't ya hate it?" Personally, I hate that commercial! Look at the message it sends: as WOMEN (note, it is not directed at men. That's another rant for another day) there is something likely wrong with our bodies...and we should HATE it. Yuck.

I am all for healthy living and working toward maintaining a healthy weight, but when diet programs and supplements are sold by telling women that they should hate their bodies and how they look, I get mad. I think we are far more likely to make positive and life-long healthy changes when we honor and treasure the bodies that we have been given.

The word Namaste, that is used to close most yoga classes everywhere, roughly translates to mean 'the light of the divine in me, recognizes and honors the light and divine in you.' Divine light....sounds pretty fabulous and miraculous to me. If we all have this light at our essence, then how can we be so cruel to ourselves and others with our body shaming and judgments? 

The next time you find yourself saying something negative about your own body: STOP. Try to replace it with a statement that is neutral or positive. If you recognize that you have not been treating yourself well by eating too much, being too sedentary, etc, then see if you can name in a positive way one thing you will do to improve. Your body is the vessel that you have been given to walk around in during your time on earth. Treat your body with respect and care so that you can live a healthy, long,  and productive life, letting that divine light that lies within to shine brightly in the world.

Here's a lovely quote from Rumi that speaks to our our own true beauty, our gorgeous and sparkling light:

"Why do you run from room to room, searching for the diamond necklace that is already around your neck?"