Beloved Body: Week 4

Day 22: Beloved Change

 My crown glows. Today's instructions were to pick a part of our body that has changed. My entire body changes every day, every second, making new cells, thinking new thoughts. The past few years have given me a map to my magnificence through books, introspection and spiritual guidance.

As I allow God's love to flow into and out of me, reminding me that I am loved beyond words, celebrated for every little thing and supported without question, my life expands. My crown glows with golden, healing light and I rest in its warmth and power.

Day 23: Beloved Adorning

 When asked to photograph in clothes that make us comfortable and express our style I immediately gravitate to layers, length, and dresses. I wear jeans most of the time but I don't really like them. I wear them because they are easy and my thighs rub together in skirts and dresses. Leggings are on the top of my list of comfort wear but I only have one good pair. Why am I not indulging my comfort and style? This process of Adorning will continue forever and I will choose to honor my body with clothing it loves to wear.

 Things I love to wear: jackets - especially denim and leather
my rhinestone headband and almost any big ring
well-worn jeans - I mean Well Worn, almost tissue paper thin
soft cotton - anything that moves easily
earrings - I never go a day without them
color - these photos don't show it, but I love pink, blue, green . . .
shoes that are easy to take on and off and comfortable
fingernail polish - I love seeing color out of the corner of my eye

Day 24: Beloved Me in the Mirror

 The bathroom mirror is where I say nice things to myself the most. Every morning I speak kindly to my face before going into my room and reading encouraging words. I also preen in the mirror, so this captures a self love of maintenance. You're so pretty, Nette!

 The lighting in my room is very low and soft. There are two mirrors in here and I don't look in them very much. Today I did. They both reflected back my attention and kindness.

 While Nick and I were waiting for the doctor I welcomed the opportunity to look at myself with love before hearing any words she had to say. I love myself for pursuing fertility and support. My body is capable and whole.

Day 25: Beloved Fear-Facing

 Today was for a new perspective, a part of us we don't normally share, etc. I am pretty liberal with my pictures, showing all sides and mostly happy to do it.  As I started taking pictures it wasn't the perspective that caught my eye as much as my attire. My Fear-Facing is sharing my story of staying at home, watching tv, and staying in my pajamas until 1pm. Sometimes I do, sometimes I do.

 I used to be embarrassed about living a life inside, not making money, eating what I want when I want, watching loads of television, talking to no one during the day. Now, after some re-framing, I embrace this season of my life. The day will come when I am out of the house a lot, talking to people all the time, caring for a child, eating on a schedule, etc. and I will miss these years of "down time." Fear: Dissolved!

Day 26: Beloved New Story

 The point of today is to tell a new story about my body. Whatever stories my gremlins have been feeding me for years is no longer welcome or useful. (it never was) Today, I make my own story, taking pictures of my whole body and beginning my new, blank page with, "Hello, my Beloved. You are . . ." I am the narrator.

 My Beloved story is filled with light and land. The light of Nette, perfect as she is, an exquisite expression of nature. The pictures I took today did not have any continuity until I looked at them together and saw they all contained light pouring over me and on me.

 The sun surrounds me with her rays. I soak them up, standing firm on my rock. My new body story stars a grounded woman who wanders the Earth with ease.

 I celebrate me. I narrate a Body Story that honors my connection to God's light in me. May it shine forth with guidance and grace.

Day 27: Beloved Past/Future

 Today I surrounded myself with pictures from my past. Baby, toddler, kid, teen, adult Nette all got love from me. I told Past Me things that I wanted and needed to hear through the ages.

 Saying kind things aloud to past versions of me is healing. I forget that I can love myself, my body, my mind in ways that no one else can. I face the future with tools of tenderness and choose to care for my body. It is mine.

Day 28: Beloved Ending/Beginning

  

Instructions: close eyes and thank self for taking this journey. "I am at home with the Me. I am rooted in the Me that is on this adventure. Now take a deep breath and realize this is Me breathing." Thank you, Grosse Point Blank!

 I took three separate series of pictures this morning. The first ones: bad. The second ones: amazing! perfect! I deleted them all. On accident. FURY! The third ones: fine. The sun had gone past its ideal position in the sky and these are what I am left with. I am sad that the best pictures of today, the last day of this self-love course, are lost. But, the process stays with me and I got to see the pictures even if no one else does.

 This is how angry I was.

Day 12 Re-visited: Beloved Skin

 A love note to my skin, my Self. I wrote the words that popped into my head first: beloved, strong, whole. I am soft and loved, firm and supported. The balance of these often contradictory words is something I continue to seek.

 I am free to be me: soft, loved, radiant, kick-ass, assertive, sensitive...anything, everything.

 Yesterday's affirmation was, "I listen with love to the messages of my body." And today's Bible verse is, "Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. Walk in love..."
And so I do, so I do.