Body image
Several years ago I was told off by a 14 year old girl.
while braiding my hair, she told me with unparalleled assertiveness that I am a hypocrite.
She noticed that I was too embarrassed about my looks to peer into the mirror.
She asked: How could it be that I, who meet people and teach them to love and accept themselves, I, who sees beauty in every living creature, who gathers women to remember their greatness and live the best version of themselves, how could it be that I deny my appearance, that I do NOT accept myself as I am, and find it hard to look in the mirror?
I received a wake up call, a good kick in my behinds to take this journey another step forward.
I am ready to lead this journey precisely because this is where I come from.
Because I am a large woman, full of scars and struggles, living in this precious body that went through so much: illness, near-death, weight loss and weight gain, repeatedly, that was nurtured and then neglected, that received my daily dose of contempt, I can relate and understand the shame.
Most women I meet know the shame that sometimes shrouds everything and chokes it deep inside, locked away untouchable, covered with increasing layers of concealment.
I choose, ever and again, to stand in bright daylight, to live with the void, embracing wholeheartedly all my parts: spirit, body and soul.
For this is me. I am deeply grateful to those smart bright women I meet, like this beautiful girl, who wisely do not listen to those scars’ voices, who love purely and see clearly life itself.
Living within the dissonant gap that this wise girl exposed alienates me from myself.
It is the complete opposite of the truth I want to live by and share: to be together, in closeness, and in love.
If sounds of pain arise from within us while we hear this truth, these must be those stubborn and persistent voices from our past.
Why don’t we listen to them?
Let’s ask inside: What hurts? What happened to you that you had no other choice but to become so hard and tough on yourself?
How can I help you?
Come,
Come and bring your whole world with you.
Let’s embrace your past and choose to live with love and compassion.
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Michal Halev –
Facilitator of Conversations:
on the journey to your heart