This afternoon I was asked to speak to a group of ninth graders on the importance of physical health and body image. I wasn’t given much time, just 10 minutes. Yes, 10 minutes. 😉 So I hit the high points and focused on the importance of exercise and nutrition but spent more time on our body image. I think it’s important for teens (and even adult women) to realize that our bodies were uniquely given to us as individuals by God. I will never have the same body as Jennifer Anniston, or my good friend or even my own sister because we are each uniquely and wonderfully made.
As teens we spend so much time trying to ‘look like someone else’ and often young women get pulled into doing whatever it takes to get their body to that ‘desired’ unrealistic body image and then when their body can’t keep up with the image (because it’s not meant to have that form) then they get into the cycle of trying something new, another quick fix or action more harmful to their health.
I don’t know if ten minutes did any good but it was a pleasure to at least open the door to that line of communication. A few hours later I met up with a new friend for dinner. She and I met at a doctor’s office and before I knew it I received an email from her asking if we could meet. I love these God ordained meetings and sure enough as I listened to her story during dinner I could see that she would be a new ally in whatever direction God has me going this year. And I am meant to help her along her journey as well, so time will tell how this will come about. Again, unique circumstance bring about a unique meeting. God gathering His workers and putting them in place. 😉
It has been a very long day for me so I am going to get some much needed sleep. I want to add one other ‘show up’ moment though. After I wrote the blog that went through the retreat experience and the revelation I received this morning I felt a little open and raw…I’d revealed something about myself and where I am right this very moment that I probably would not have shared a few years ago for fear it would make me seem ‘weak’ or not ‘worthy enough’ for you to receive any inspiration from what God might do through me or give to me in these blogs. But I’ve grown spiritually (as we do daily) and I shared it because it is who I am. I will give you me and sometimes that’s ugly. 😉
God knows how to give me hugs when I need them and to say ‘It is good’. I received an email tonight from a fellow rape survivor who read the blog from this morning and thanked me for what I shared that she felt the same way. So now we will read that book at the same time and work together on healing our love for ourselves. 😉
To me, that is worth the chill of being exposed.
Blessings
Shannon