What We Learn about Bodies

Social and cultural messages taught me my body was an object, an it, something to use.  I could use it to do what I wanted to do or, mostly, what someone told me I “should” do. And others could use it how they wanted to.

I learned that my body didn’t really belong to me, that it either existed for the purposes of others or its very existence was an inconvenience to or a problem for others. 

I learned that my body was a liability; it was in the way of my success, my goodness, my purity… and that of others too.

I learned that my body can’t be trusted. Its desires are wrong, maybe even evil. It must be restricted, punished, suppressed, covered up, made smaller, mastered. 

Sound familiar?

I know now that my body is a person, a she, a marvelous being. She isn’t a tool to be used, by me or anyone else. She exists just as anything else in nature- to tell a story, to be a part of the larger story, to connect and grow, to be. 

I know now that my body belongs to me and no one else. I make decisions for my own body, I set boundaries for my own body, and allow her to take up space in the world. 

I know now that my body has never stopped fighting for me, that she is always working for my good. I know that I am my body.

I know now that my body is wise; she is worthy of my trust, care, and attention. She is worthy of being free. I am worthy of being free.