The Well-Being in Your Body Positivity
written by
LAUREEN BENEVENIA
Your body! Your bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. The entire musculoskeletal system; the complex structure that holds you together as you walk the earth each day.
Do you think about any of it when you look in the mirror or when your feet land on the floor as you get out of bed each morning? If you answered no, it wouldn’t be a surprise because most of us don’t. I certainly didn’t give it a second thought most of my adult life. I had no idea what was at work under my skin getting me to and from work, birthing two beautiful daughters by c-section, carrying them on my waist when they were small, hauling groceries from the car, running on the beach and dancing for hours at parties, weddings or in my kitchen!
My body is the vessel through which I have experienced all of life. It has literally lifted me off the floor at my worst moments. Yet, it’s been scrutinized, judged, ignored, mistreated and disliked in my mind and eyes, since as far back as my earliest memories.
What are the things you remember feeling or hearing about yourself when you were a little kid? Most of those same thoughts come up in my head even to this day. My arms are too bony, my legs are not long enough, my butt is huge, my torso too short, my knees look weird.
How did I get all of this information embedded into to my psyche? Well, we all know by now that the stories we tell ourselves come from familiar places, media family, friends, the list goes on. I’ll never forget how many milkshakes with hidden eggs were fed to me as a child to assist my weight gain, and it wasn’t because I was ill. Or the times at high school cheerleading practice when my teammates would grab and hold my arm up laughing out loud, “feed this child!” I despised my arms because of that. “It looks like you have knock knees,” was another comment that attached itself like a billboard atop my legs which I’d read every time I glanced down at myself.
No matter what our shape or size, we all have been the recipient of messages in jest or not, that something is just not right about our body. But, how do we over- come all of these messages in order to find joy and appreciation in the armor of our magnificently and masterfully designed human shell?
It wasn’t until my body was broken a few years ago, that I recognized its restorative and regenerative ability. A shift in perspective ignited by pain, fear and a sense of loss started to take place. My humerus, the long bone of the upper limb which forms the shoulder joint, broke in three places. I tripped and fell while walking to the park for a run on a warm September morning after both my daughters left for college. It was the first year they were both gone. I was sad and ruminating about how my thighs needed a “workout.”
I wasn’t going to the park enthusiastic about running or enjoying the colors of the leaves changing. In- stead, I was preoccupied with judging myself and disconnected from my body. It was a perfect combination for an accident to occur. The pain was the worst I’d ever felt.I couldn’t move my arm without tears streaming down my face. The ER doctor told me they had never seen a fracture like mine that did not require surgery inserting screws and pins. I was extremely lucky, but several months of recovery lie ahead. I had just purchased a 30-class pack at my yoga studio, was hosting our family of 20 for the upcoming holidays,
I had travel plans the following week with my husband and now all I could think about was if I would ever be able to use my arm again!
So, I focused. I listened to someone other than myself and the negative stories that can repeat on a loop, especially when I am depressed, frightened, hurt or discouraged. They seem to play on something as loud as a guitar amplifier in between my ears during those times. I surrendered to the pro- cess, my doctors, physical therapist and family. Slowly and painstakingly, I began to improve but not without the setback of my healthy shoulder taking a beating and losing range of motion from overuse. Almost a year later I was back in yoga class.
In two years time both shoulders had finally rehabilitated well enough to sustain holding my body weight. I’m still astounded by the progress I’ve made since this injury. But more than that, I realize how darn grateful I am to reach over my head into the cabinet for a glass. Even the simple things we do is the result of a highly complex physical being. The human body is a glorious structure.
Ask yourself, what is it you love to do, what is it that you’re so grateful you can enjoy? Playing with your beloved pet, painting a sunset, biking in your neighborhood, hiking through hills and over streams, walking the city pavements, wrapping your arms around someone you love. With any action you take, large or small, your body is supporting you on this journey of living.
When your feet hit the floor as you get out of bed in the morning, where will they take you? Allow them to take you to a place in your spirit and in your day, that encourages you to feel in awe of being alive. Be aware of your spectacular ability to simply move. That’s the beginning of a true love affair with your body! And by the way, I like my arms just fine these days, especially because they are strong and not broken!
credits
models
Catherine Li - @catieli
Maya Norman - @mayabnorma
Natalie Alvarado - @nataliealvarado
Reagan Angelo - @ reaganangelo
Courtney Cranberry - @thasupremecourt
Brianna Peoples - @ briannapeoples
photographer
Sheri Angeles - @sheriangeles
stylist
Leigh Taylor Richardson - @styledbyleightaylor
brand
Blacklickorish Latex - @blacklickorish
PR
Harpers PR - @harperspr
key mua
Tanya Tello - @tanyatellomua
Apollo - @makeupbyapollo
mua assist
Sandra Merlan - @sandramerlanmakeup
key hair
Cindy Zamora - @cindyprostylist
Desiree Rodriguez - @desireeyvonne
video
Anna Lea Mende - @annaleamende
location
Sante Collective - @thesanteecollective
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