
We live in a culture where we are often encouraged to view our bodies as the enemy: diet programs invite us to blast away fat, clothing manufacturers tell us we are "plus" sized if we wear anything larger than a 12 and we are barraged with advertisements that tell us we must whiten our teeth, color our hair and get breast implants to be attractive.
And as if that isn't enough, we are guilted into believing we have to be everything to everyone; the best daughter, sister, lover, wife, mother, friend and employee all at the same time. We absorb negative messages about ourselves and berate ourselves for imagined failures on a daily basis. We tell ourselves we are not smart enough, beautiful enough or talented enough to deserve happiness.
I would like to invite you to become friends with your body and yourself again. Deep inside each of us there is some tiny spark of desire to become healthy and whole. We often spend our days rushing here and there, never really focusing on our own individual health or happiness. Do you remember the last time you woke up feeling good about yourself? You deserve to be happy!