Self acceptance

I sometimes like to read my horoscope. (Hi! I’m a Pisces!) And this was today’s gem:

“Today offers a good opportunity to rein in your desire to look for satisfaction elsewhere. Try aiming to be satisfied with your own body. This could take work in many areas of your life, not just diet and exercise. But acceptance of your own body is a lifelong issue, and you will serve yourself well if you can open up to what you truly feel about it.”

Whoa. Inspiration can be found in some unexpected places.

I’ve been thinking about this for awhile. I’ve been at my goal weight (plus or minus a few pounds) for about 15 months. But still, I haven’t been satisfied when I look in the mirror. I don’t always see what my body can do for me. I see its shortcomings, its failures. Where I need to change it.

Last Saturday after my Sandy Hook Half with Sarah I was about to get in the shower. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I stopped and really looked. Instead of seeing everything that was wrong with my body, I saw it for what it was and is: this amazing thing that lets me run (3 half marathons and 1 full marathon and counting!) bike, and walk. Its strong. I saw the flush from exertion, the salt and sweat matted to my skin and hair. I saw something that isn’t there all the time. Its a spark or sparkle in my eyes, the pure joy of being alive and doing something I love. I realized that this body may not be the defintion of conventional beauty and bears the scars (read: stretch marks) from my past life, but to me its much better than beautiful; its perfect.

Isn’t it amazing what running can do?

Happy Friday friends!