The Bigger Picture:It is good for our mental and physical health and for our social relationships to show ourselves off - with our body, mind and spirit. Taking time to actively do this is a worthwhile pursuit.
Our bodies are the part of ourselves that are seen first - not only by the world but also by ourselves. And so, it is relevant to our health and happiness to care for, nurture, exercise and express our physical selves.
Ironically, we need to concentrate on our bodies in order to be seen. How our bodies function and look affects how we feel about ourselves, and also how others see us, assumptions they make about us and how they interact with us (sometimes rationally, sometimes not). We have a right to be in charge of our appearance. This means being in charge of our eating, drinking, posture and strength.
It makes sense that we are strong, physically strong, and that our muscles are used and engaged with as part of our life. We don't have to be "buff" body-builders. What we need is to develop the potential of strength that lies within our own make-up, and be able to access this strength in our daily lives as we do our regular activities.
It is okay when we can't do something - because it's not an area we're skilled at, equipped for or had time to develop. However, it's not okay to have a basic potential within ourselves - physical health and strength - and neglect it. Doing so leaves us emotionally and intellectually disempowered. This results in a more limited and difficult life than we would have wanted.
When we don't strengthen our bodies, we can't be as active, feel in charge or stay healthy. Eventually, we'll get worn down with inflexibility resulting in stiffness, soreness and more injuries, as well as a lack of energy, motivation and focus.
This is why Indian philosophical schools for enlightenment began considering and developing exercises for optimum physical health. There was an understanding that the state of the body was a precursor to the state of the mind. It became so important to support the body, that the physical exercises of yoga, now so well known in the West, were born.
Taking on our bodies is one of the greatest struggles for people today. Here are a few thoughts to help you.
First, accept that you might feel bad for three weeks after taking on a new eating or exercise lifestyle. This is a challenge to overcome and isn't a reason to stop your new direction. Second, remember it's easier to make drastic changes in diet than small ones. This is because some foods are addictive and it's hard for us to limit ourselves around them. Third, remember that the companies that manufacture your favourite treats will continue to do so in 10 years. So, they will always be readily available to buy. Fourth, whole foods will fill us up faster and for longer leaving us wanting to eat less. The simpler sugars will leave us with less energy overall. Finally, life should be fun. Find an activity that moves your body and your spirit.
It might seem like a funny idea to show ourselves off emotionally, but it's worthwhile and just another dimension to our humanity. Do be careful here: I'm not suggesting we dramatise our feelings - that is, exaggerate or act them out rather then simply feel them. (People sometimes dramatise when they're struggling to access what they actually feel.)
While dramatising is the most common model of showing emotions in this society, it's neither empowering nor furthers the healing process.
Those feelings we still have that were responses to hurts and continue to confuse or limit us need to be released or resolved. They aren't the whole of what we feel nor an expression of our true self. As a society, our inability to constructively or effectively deal with hurts has made us invalidate the natural characteristic of feeling. Without our feelings, however, we lack love, connection, inspiration, imagination and spirit. It is these aspects of our hearts that we should nurture and get to show to the world. The more of us who show inspiration, connection and hope, the better off the world is.
The inspiredaspects of ourselves are what lie at the foundation of our spirituality. Whether you find this aspect of yourself fulfilled by prescribing to a specific religion, practice or by other means, there is a dimension of each of us that involves the spiritual.
I connect this as much to creativity as anything. Creativity is something that is part of each of us. And we benefit from its expression.
Your creativity can be expressed in many different areas of your life, including work, with loved ones and in leisure. Whatever the outlet, thought and attention ought to go to ensuring we are creative in our lives. It's a very maturing exercise to go after the expression of our creativity. The very act stands against the concept of judgment.
Judgment stifles and strangles creativity. Therefore, the pursuit of our creativity is a bold act of belief in one's self, and a determined act against petty judgments of each other.