To My Body:
I am so sorry for abusing you. I blamed you for all of my shortcomings, especially
the ones that have nothing to do with you. I hid behind you, and then held
you accountable for the results. I
overemphasized you, when I should have recognized that you are only one part of
who I am. I treated you badly—I gave you the wrong kind of
attention, instead of the nurturing kind.
Please forgive me. I am trying now to correct my errors, to
treat you with the love and respect you deserve. Please be patient with me, for
the path is a rocky one, but it is a path I am determined to tread. Together, I hope we can find our way to healthy.
To My Soul:
I apologize for ignoring you for so long. I became so
focused on my body that I forgot you were there. It took decades for me to
finally hear your voice, and even then it was so beaten down, it came out as little
more than a whisper. I did not listen to you when you told me I was following
the wrong path. I did not believe you when you told me I had the strength and
ability to do what I dreamed of.
I am listening now, and you are right. I do have the strength
and ability to follow my dreams, even when I feel like I’ll have to climb Mt.
Everest in flip-flops to get there. I promise to keep listening, and to nurture
you as I nurture my body, to treat you with the respect that you too deserve. Like my body, you too have much healing to do. I hope you will help me make that happen.