The View From Here/Up For This Week; How We Idolize Our Bodies

Up For This Week


Happy Labor Day! Another busy visiting day, and helping Phil get ready to leave, so another super-brief post. But please, stay tuned for my very first giveaway (on my blog, that is - I've done plenty in 'life') - starting tomorrow.

I'm hoping to be more 'present' both in person and online this week - last week was a bit crazy and I'm behind on a lot of blogs that I read, as well as other things.

The View From Here


But I'm glad, honored and privileged to be continuing with the 30 Days of Reflection on Self Love. Today's post: - we make our bodies into idols when we obsess over how they should be as opposed to accepting them as they are, as our outward expression, our vehicle to interact with the world. 'In what ways have you put too much emphasis on your body? How can you change that?'

Once again, deepest gratitude to Tina for sharing these ways of approaching self love and body-as-self-love. I had been aware of the selfishness of obsessing over negative body image, but hadn't quite put it in that 'second commandment' way before. When you get hung up on how your body 'should' be or look, to the exclusion of your full attention and presence for other activities and endeavors, that is in fact making of your body an image or an idol. I know that I have done this in the past to the point of being completely non-functional, and I know that the end result is total self-absorption - when all your energy is just going to make sure your heart beats, you don't have much left to give of your gifts! This ultimately selfish result of self-destructive behavior is a good 'flip side' to look at when thinking of self love.

I was recently told that the best gift we can give to others is to take best care of ourselves. Does this ring true for you?

love and gratitude.