Dance with your body

 “Do you hear that? Your body is whispering to you right now. Are you listening to your body? 

Growing up, I held a deep hatred towards my body due to the pain inflicted by torment and abuse. It felt as though my body was constantly betraying me. Adding to my distress, I had to deal with food allergies that transformed me into a grotesque figure with pink rashes covering my face and body. I felt idiotic and disgusting, and I resented my body even more. 

One day, I returned home from school with my face swollen like a sausage. “What did you eat?” My mother asked, concern filling her voice. 

Reluctantly, I replied, “Nothing.” Deep down, I knew it was a lie. I blamed my body for stopping me from enjoying the same foods that other kids loved. It wasn’t a life or death situation, but it added more worry and workload to my mom, who was already juggling between home and the family business. 

To minimize the pain, I suppressed hunger and exhaustion, considering my body’s needs inconvenient and costly. I relentlessly pushed my body to work harder, neglecting its signals or dismissing them altogether. 

I told my body to shut up, to stop feeling, to stop speaking up. I made my body wrong and bad. I made my body small and unimportant. I neglected and disconnected from my body. 

I had a yo-yo relationship with my body even into adulthood. Dealing with my food allergies always presented challenges, especially when socializing with peers. I often felt embarrassed by my food allergies, hesitant to speak up, fearing being excluded from the tribe. This only fueled my anger towards my body. 

 Since it wasn’t life-threatening, I often brushed it aside and coped with it whenever things got worse. 

However, one day, my body reached its breaking point. I woke up feeling incredibly weak, and as the day progressed, my energy dwindled to the point where I couldn’t even lift a small bag of groceries. Overwhelmed with fatigue and a sense of impending doom, I felt myself on the verge of fainting. Questions flooded my mind: How could I be so weak? Would I be like this for the rest of my life? Fear began to take hold. 

Multiple doctor visits followed, but none provided any definitive answers. Frustrated and desperate for a solution, I realized that I needed to take matters into my own hands. It was time for me to become my own advocate and discover the answers that had eluded me. 

As I took charge of my health, a transformation began to unfold. This journey was not without its hurdles. There were setbacks and moments of doubt. However amidst it all, I realized that my body wasn’t my enemy but a messenger trying to communicate its needs and limitations. It was whispering to me, seeking my attention. I had been so busy resenting it that I hadn’t taken the time to truly listen. 

Finally, I gained control over my body, but not in the way I initially thought. It’s not about commanding my body to indulge in all the delicious food the world has to offer. Instead, I have learned the true essence of control: listening to my body. 

I forged a profound connection with my body, treating it as a cherished friend. I have come to understand its needs, desires, and limitations. Like any close friend, I strive to provide my body with what it truly needs, showing it respect and appreciation. 

No longer do I complain about my body or pass judgment upon it as flawed or inadequate. I no longer question its needs or punish it for not meeting my expectations. Instead, I have embraced a nurturing mindset. I actually nurture her, take care of her, protect her, and love her for the first time. 

This newfound approach has transformed my relationship with myself. 

The connection between my body and myself is intertwined. By diminishing my own worth, I neglected to acknowledge the needs of my body. I failed to embrace my true identity, and in turn, couldn’t accept the state of my body. I lacked love for myself and failed to appreciate the body I possessed. 

Through this journey, I have recognized that true control lies in understanding, compassion, and acceptance. My body, once seen as a source of frustration, has become my ally in living a fulfilling life. 

So, Do you hear that? Your body is whispering to you right now. Are you listening to your body? It holds the wisdom and guidance you seek. Embrace its whispers, honor its needs, and embark on a journey of self-love and self-care. Your body is your ally, together you can dance towards a life filled with health, happiness, and acceptance.”