Body Image and Positive Thinking

When a room is dark, you can’t illuminate it by bringing in more darkness. You have to turn on the light. Love is the brightest light. Therefore, begin to look at your body with love rather than with a critical eye. See your perceived physical imperfections with love and compassion. See yourself as a child or a lover would see you...as perfect, pure, and beautiful. Treat your body with love, gentleness, and respect. Give your body pure food, fresh air, and exercise. Changing the way you look at and think about your body will work wonders for your self-esteem. As your self-approval and self-confidence grow, your beauty will increase as well. How can you expect others to love you and think you are beautiful if you don’t love yourself and treat yourself with kindness and respect?

Best selling self-help author Louise Hay says, “Everyone suffers from self-hatred and guilt. The bottom line for everyone is ‘I’m not good enough.’ It’s only a thought and a thought can be changed. We must be willing to begin to learn to love ourselves. Self-approval and self-acceptance in the now are the keys to positive changes.” (You Can Heal Your Life p9).

Exercise:
- Make a list of your negative self-talk about your body and all your body issues/dislikes/worries/fears/troubles/health concerns. You can start from the head to the toes, from the outside to the inside, or any way you choose.
- Once your list is finished, take a moment to forgive yourself for this kind of thinking. Next, release these thoughts in a ceremony...I prefer an imaginary fire ceremony.
- Now, you are ready to write new positive affirmations and this is how you will think about your body from now on. You can start your list with “I love and accept my body exactly as it is.” Repeat your new affirmations as a way to deeply nurture yourself.