The next time you look at yourself in the mirror look at those little lines and think about the laughter that caused them. Do you remember the laughter and the people who shared it? Look into your eyes which have seen so much more than you could ever share or even admit. What beauty and horrors have been absorbed by the immense depth of those ink-black pupils? What thoughts have occurred in the creases of the mind just behind. Look at the shoulders that have carried burdens under which any other would have collapsed. Look at the sternum, guarding the lungs and heart which are intent on pumping life in and through us no matter how easy or hard our circumstances.

Every inch of what you see, every particle, every cell, is a testament to those who survived before you...and the you who has survived. For just a moment, look at yourself and just say “thank you.” For not giving up, for regenerating, for healing, for keeping me alive.

You have come so far. You are so beautiful. You are so beloved. And millions of moments, since the beginning of the universe, had to come together just right for you to be alive in this moment. The universe and Spirit were working on you then and they are still working on you now...they have not given up.

Don’t waste another minute staring in the mirror criticizing the body you see. The body you see has fought, and is fighting, to give you the opportunity to not only survive...but the capacity to thrive. Don’t beat it down. Build it up. Say “I appreciate you and all you’ve gone through to be here.” Say “I see this is hard, let me help you.” Say “Thank you for making my well-being a priority when no one else did....and in spite of my best efforts.”
And then say...”I love you - just the way you are” until maybe you start to believe it. You deserve to be spoken to with respect, with compassion. So go ahead...speak respect and speak compassion. And show others how.

“Here’s looking at you, kid.”

Photo: William C. Adams