When I think of long journeys, I imagine a silver train slinking through the Russian landscape at twilight or a lone backpacker traipsing through the rainforest. I never imagined the journey I have been on for the last thirty days. One I had been preparing for a long time, but was unaware of it. I did not have any bags to pack. They had been packed already. No new shoes to purchase, because this journey was done in bare feet. I did have to buy a ticket, but I never had to leave my home. For the last thirty days, I have participated in the “I love my body diet.” It was a journey in finding love for myself again. Its an odd name, since there is no food involved, just a daily assigned exercise to increase awareness about oneself and a group of women who talk every day over social media about their experiences. Many of us posted videos as well. I have NEVER experienced close feelings with a group so fast. We were vulnerable and open and supported one another through this process.

The exercises were exploratory. Here are some examples. “Write 25 things you love about yourself.” or “See yourself in everyone. You are me and I am you. This is what you want to be thinking today. Look at others and see yourself in them. Let them be a mirror to you and discover where you are inside. See if there is something you can learn from each person you come in contact with today.” Or this exercise, “Write a love letter to your body. Tell your body all the things you want to experience with it. Let it feel your love through your words.” Many had a hard time with this one. “Stand in front of your husband naked and say, “I love my body” as many times as you can.” There was always something new to do that forced me to take a hard look at my thoughts and feelings.

One of the first exercises I did was a process of finding value statements for my body. However, to come to that it was required that you write down the things that you dislike about your body and your feelings toward it. I just looked back on that for the first time today. “I am short-waisted, short, short-limbed with arms like a quarterback. I look like an apple on sticks. I don’t like my double chin and wrinkles around my eyes. I have boobs that are way too large. My skin is dry, flaky, bumpy and my hair is thin. Things I resemble: T-Rex, Captain Kirk, Dolly Parton, Snookie, Queen Elizabeth in her older years.” As I read these phrases thirty days later, they do not even resemble my feelings any longer.

This is part of what I wrote yesterday when we had to go through each of our body parts and write what messages they have for us. Notice the difference:
“Hair- Keep working with me. I won’t let you down. The right hairstyle for your personality and face will come. Be bold. Don’t be afraid. Skin – Thank you for always being willing to learn life lessons from me. Eyes – Be awake – open – open – open to all possibilities. Arms – Please stop putting me down. Never again. We are strong and have carried much. Be grateful. Love me. Knees – Get on me more! We were made to worship and be humble. Ankles – We are free. Never wobbly, never wavering, no bondage. Feet – We are tiny, careworn, but wisdom-filled. Walking in the Lord’s paths of righteousness. We will carry you to your destiny.” My last body message was “I send love to all my body and all my parts. I send strength and a message of deep respect, awe, care, and compassion. I send forgiveness and gratitude.”

As all good journeys, this one has changed me. I brought home a great souvenir. I never realized before now that I had always thought of my body and spirit as enemies. One was always trying to pull the other in its direction. If my body felt heavy and encumbered, so did my spirit. If my spirit was sad, my body ate. Now I view them as best friends. They work together as one toward bettering myself. They house each other – a Russian nesting doll of love.

Have you had a similar journey? What life lessons did you learn?
Are you needing to take the same journey? Do you love your body?

If you would like more information, the creator of #ilovemybodydiet, Jennifer Lamprey, can be contacted on facebook or at http://jenniferlamprey.com/product/i-love-my-body-diet/