Reactions to story from Sexeteria

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  Letter to my Body, Probably Sent from my iPhone

  http://www.blogher.com/letter-my-body-probably-sent-my-iphon...
  77 days ago in BlogHer · Authority: 3,933

  It's time for me to follow in the footsteps of many intrepid BlogHer editors before me, and take on the torch of the Letter To My Body initiative. I have to tell you -- I've been dreading this day. It's not that I don't think it's a great project, because I do. But it's not for me, see, because... well, let's not go there just yet. Let's start with some of the great posts from the last couple of weeks, passed along to me by Erin Kotecki Vest. Erin said that Jessica at Beautiful Disaster got her when she talked about cutting and abuse: Then there was the cutting and all that poison I put into you. How naive young people are…how lost…. broken. You now have scars that I put there for everyone to see. Your ability to forgive such things, well, sometimes I just don’t understand. I have allowed men to beat you and women to call you names. You bare more scars than most that I know…a lot of which you hide on the inside. But I am proud of you. You carry each scar with pride…. a badge of honor. You know that each scar has helped you become stronger, wiser, and more in tune with your self. You have a mighty, courageous heart that you wear on your sleeve. You believe in yourself, even when I don’t. And that Sexeteria reminded her of so many woman: Do you remember that one guy in my dorm telling me in an offhanded way I had the perfect body, and me just staring at him blankly? My response was beyond just not wanting to believe him or trying to be modest--I simply couldn't conceive what he was saying. I felt nothing except some slight confusion, like he was talking another language and so I couldn't possibly have a response. I didn't forget I did this to you, if you thought i did. Do you remember all my lovers who went on about how great your breasts were? Do you remember how deep down, I felt surprised every single time, no matter how many times it was volunteered freely? How I just sort of pretended I didn't hear? I didn't let myself feel anything about what I was doing. But I didn't forget I did this to you. I have found many of these letters fascinating, because the fact remains that I don't have much of a relationship with my body, at all. Which is probably why I find this letter so difficult to write. Nevertheless, I'm going to give it a go. Dear Body, Um, hi there. I know we haven't spoken... much... or, you know, ever, but I'd really like for that to change. I know that in the past I've just ignored you and taken you for granted. Look, it's nothing personal, I've just been pretty busy. And I understand that you were probably just wanting a little attention, you know, with the whole Lyme Disease thing. And the endometriosis, until the hysterectomy. And the tonsillitis, until the tonsillectomy. And, oh, what about the surprise allergy to wasp stings! That one made me sit up and take notice, huh? Twice! The reality, of course, is that I have neglected you except when I felt you had let me down. But I have let you down, constantly, by not paying attention. I pride myself on my brain, you see. The pen is mightier than the sword! Loosely translated by this writer, that means "if I'm smart I don't need to eat right or exercise." (Hmmm. When I write it out like that, the whole smart thing sort of comes into question....) I know I need to slow down. I need to exercise some more. And dammit, I need to find a bathing suit that fits. If I get off the computer long enough to help you with the former, will you work with me on the latter? Pretty please? Alright, then. Let's do it. Right after I finish checking my email. (What? Change takes time, dude. I'm drinking a glass or water while I read it, at least.) Love, Mir If you haven't yet joined the Letter To My Body initiative, here's your chance! Simply write your own letter and leave your link via Mr. Linky here. I'll be reading your posts over the next couple of weeks and passing them along to the next editor in line for discussion. This is your golden opportunity not only to share your words with the BlogHer community, but also to explore what you maybe didn't even realize you need to say to your body. I can't wait to see what you come up with! BlogHer Contributing Editor Mir also blogs at Woulda Coulda Shoulda and Want Not.

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