Grace: Body Shaming

Easter Special: Grace: Self Love> Body Shaming 

These past years refined my understanding of Easter, so I’ve understandably felt compelled to share my thoughts on Grace being that it is a multi-dimensional gift in our lives. 

Let’s talk Grace and Self-Love as they pertain to: Body Shaming:

I grew up a multi-sport athlete, active, fit, and yet I carried the extra weight that is body-shaming since I can remember, at least dating back to elementary school. Over the years, as my body naturally developed and my athletic career progressed, my muscles strengthened and with these changes, my insecurities grew. I can share examples from 5th grade, 7th grade required gym-swim-class at my new school, issues that plagued me through high school, into college, and years beyond. I hated my body and frankly I silently treated it that way for many years.⠀⠀⠀

The truth is, I was strong and healthy in a “traditional” sense and yet malnourished when it came to the most important vitamins we feed ourselves: Self-Love and Grace.

 Picture this: A healthy, active, dual-sport athlete sitting in the rafters of the pool balcony watching her 7th grade classmates laugh, splash, and move their bodies in the pool because she is too insecure about her body to jump in. ---That was me on many required swim-class days. I begged for a note to sit out; often I did. I was mortified and ashamed but mostly, I felt paralyzed by the toxic energy that is our own, body-shaming.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Fast forward:

Three years ago+, I went through a transformation in all areas of my life. In reflection, I came face to face with the soul-baring darkness found only at the rocks. Gratefully through the work, I was introduced to the light that Grace is for ourselves and to others. This Grace guided me to make space for deep Self-Love; Grace that ultimately, set me free. 

I now refer to that whole transformative period as my “before that” and “after that.” A rebirth of sorts. An enlightenment on profound lessons of Self-Love; On Grace. What IT is. What IT is not. How we create IT. How we gracefully rid ourselves of anything that is not IT.

My new found learnings on Self-Love and Grace changed the trajectory of who I was, who I am, and who I want to become: mentally, physically, spiritually, professionally, relationally…

Today, I believe that Self-Love takes many forms. Body Image—how we look at and speak to our bodies — is one. (Boundaries another; a future post)

I’ve witnessed, as we welcome Self-Love and Grace into our lives and as we redefine and rebuild our values around each, our confidence grows as wholehearted human beings, not just bodies. This inherently creates less space in our hearts, our minds, and veins for body-shaming. For many of us, it’s a sincere battle, not an absolute victory. But it’s no longer paralysis; no longer that little girl on the pool balcony wishing she had the Self-Love, the Grace for her body, to jump in.

The connection between body-shaming and Self-Love is profound. As we grow stronger on the inside, we shine brighter on the outside. That’s what lights the world. Not our weight, our light.

Years ago, this spirit wasn’t as-is nor did this perspective live within. But Grace set me free in a lot of ways —particularly when it comes to deeply appreciating my athletic-build. Dare I say, love. Love.

I worry less now than I did then about what other people think about my body and more about what I think about me. Because I know that if we are aligned with our own values, and if Self-Love and Grace top that list, we feel better about ourselves, we become light, and we attract and magnify goodness.

Today I tackle body shaming with Self-Love and Grace:

• I genuinely believe that being fit & free is our greatest size. 
• I workout to produce and release endorphins and to build myself wholeheartedly stronger.
• I hold and retain gratitude in the spaces where the insecurity that is body-shaming wants to creep in.  

And, 

• I now inherently believe that Self-Love and Grace set us free.

I share my story and content because others shared theirs that helped me connect to something when I felt disconnected to me.

I’ve heard women and men athletes at all levels recently talk about similar struggles. So, I think it’s important that we normalize the conversation and identify ways to rid our bodies and minds from the toxic energy that body-shaming is, and make room for Grace and Self-Love vibes only; for each of us, for the little people in our lives; for — the —world.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

✨Here’s my Body Image Challenge to those interested and still reading✨

✔️ Nourish your body with Self-Love and Grace first. These vitamins will sustain you most.

✔️ When insecurity creeps in, catch IT and let IT go. Know that its not your weight that weighs you down, it’s the insecurity and shame. Let Grace set you free.

✔️ Don’t measure your size nor equate IT to your worth. Measure your internal capacity for Self-Love and Grace and explore how they equate to your current wellness. Adjust accordingly. 

Fact: Self-Love drives wholistic wellness. 

✔️ And remember, when all is said and done....

Our bodies are undoubtedly miraculous, but our HEARTS will ALWAYS be the most beautiful thing about us.

🤍🤍🤍

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If you read all of this, wow. Thank you for taking the time to do so. I hope you took some value from it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

#easter #graceupongrace #selflove #grace #thankful

Melissa, The Buzz