In today’s society, it is so easy to feel unsatisfied. We are bombarded with images of beautiful women who seem to have it all: the hourglass figure, the shiny hair, the pearlescent teeth. I subconsciously find that I compare my body to those of others pretty often; it’s as easy as breathing. It’s time for me to step back for a moment and look at what I do have, which is the body that I live in every day, and appreciate it.
Thank you, Eyes
I will admit, you are harder to find gratitude for, Eyes. We have had a long relationship of one-sided resentment. I would never want my picture taken because I knew that the resulting image would show a girl with terribly lopsided eyelids, one fully open and the other seemingly squinting at the sun for no apparent reason. A year ago, I went to a plastic surgeon’s office to have you “fixed,” an event that escalated into an additional surgery and a sickening reaction to pain medication. Even though I feel more confident than a year ago, I should not have been so quick to hate you. Without my eyes, I would not be able to see the vibrant colors of a rainbow or the shades of orange and blue that fill the Swamp on Saturdays. I would not have been able to see the beaches of Greece, the intricate architecture of the Notre Dame, or the breathtaking view on top of the Duomo in Florence overlooking such a wondrous city. I need to remember that I am truly lucky to have my eyes, because there are many people out there who live without knowing what it is like to have the gift of sight.
Thank you, Face
I will never forget when someone told me that I should be careful not to laugh when I drive, because if I did my big cheeks might block me from seeing the road, causing an accident. I have had wide cheeks since I was a baby, and they have stayed with me for eighteen years. Sure, I can contour you and create a perfect illusion, but I simply do not have the time to do that each morning. I love how people can read my emotions on my face with ease. I love that years of smiling proudly and laughing energetically have left lines on my face that most magazines would Photoshop away. Thank you for showing the world who I am.
Thank you, Legs
Ah, my legs. As a dancer, you are part of my instrument. You can kick above my head, spin me around the room, or propel me into the air in a jeté. You have hiked many miles around my university, my hometown, and the world. If I did not have my legs, it would be a lot harder to see the things that I have seen and go to the places that I someday hope to go. Hopefully, you will carry me across the stage at my college graduation and lead me in the first dance at my wedding. I am sorry for all the times I have looked in a mirror and hated you for being too short, too pale, or too wide. You are perfect just the way you are, and I need to remember that more often.
How lucky am I that my mind and soul is housed in a perfectly functioning vehicle, one that has never failed to take me to wherever my heart desired? So the next time you are feeling upset with your body, just remember all the wonderful things it can do. Sadly, some amazing people have limitations placed upon them due to their bodies. So Body, no matter how many times I complain about you, just know that I am grateful.
Photo credits: Good News Shared, http://goodnewsshared.com/2015/05/27/positive-body-image/