Body Image

Have you ever looked at yourself and liked what you saw?  Maybe yes or may no.  For many, you do  not like what they see in the mirror.  Either you feel that you are to fat, to skinny, your hair is not straight enough or curly enough and the list goes on.

Men and women alike go through this process.  However, I believe this affects primarily women.  Women are very sensitive and always making sure they looking right and looking tight.  The development of a negative body image is rooted in childhood, adds Mary Froning, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist practicing in Washington, D.C.

Our society focuses too much on the physical appearance.  Everywhere girls and women turn, ideals of beauty scream out at them from TV and magazines to the women chosen to be Miss America.  Little girls who grow up outside the "ideal" are often told so in so many words by other children and insensitive adults; a kind of emotional abuse that scars the psyche.  It is invisible to the outside world but indelibly etched in the mind of the receiver, says Dr. Froning. (Foley, Nechas 1993).

This rings true to so many women.  This all starts to spill over into every aspect of any relationship and with themselves.  Women become uncomfortable in their own skin.  Women begin to feel different about their bodies and want to start altering things.  If not a lipsuction, breast implants, breast reduction (for non-medical reasons), excessive dieting and even cosmetic surgery.

Building On The Positive

First Recognize what you think the problem is.  You did not become critical of yourself all on your own.  Look back at your childhood.  Take  notice of what you were being told when you were younger.  Example, you are to fat, you are to skinny you need to gain some weight, etc.

Make some improvements about yourself.  All of course within reason,  example, if you feel that you are overweight or just want to lose a few pounds, then take the necessary steps.  Be mindful that you just want to lose weight so that you can feel better about yourself, improve your health and do not over do it.  Do not become obessive about dieting and working out at the gym.  Some women become so obsessed about losing the weight and keeping it off that they develop serious medical issues such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa.  Be careful and mindful.

Change negative thoughts into positive thoughts.  Many times there are parts of your body that you may not be happy with.  So for example, if you say to yourself that you have small breast, then change that to my breast are just the right size for me.  The same goes for any other body parts. 

Recognize that beauty comes from within. Begin to focus on yourself from the inside.  Identify what you like the most about yourself and build on that instead of the negative.  Believe that you are beautiful and have good qualities.  Feeling beautiful is one thing, believing it is something else.  Begin to change those negative thoughts into positive ones.  Begin to believe that you are worthy, beautiful and the only thing that matters is how you see youself.  It does not matter what anyone else thinks.  You have to live with you and therefore, you must feel comfortable in your own skin.

Do Not Compare Yourself With Others.  It is important to acknowledge and realize that you are who you are and you were made that way for a reason.  However, childhood trauma whether physical, emotional or sexual abuse plays a huge part about how you feel about yourself.  You may feel worthless, have low self-esteem, etc.  That is what you were taught to believe.  In other words, that is learned behavior.  Other situations such as the abuse, is not your fault.  The abuser was reflecting their anger and their pain on you.  So it was not you that was ugly, angry or feeling worthless.

Resources

Adult Health: Low Self-Esteem

Top Ten Facts about Low Self-Esteem

10 Steps for Transforming Negative Thoughts into Positive Beliefs

Featured

                                              The Truth About Negative Energy

                                                 Creating Your Soul's Profile








 

Positive Thinking

We live in a world where we are constantly on the run, constantly thinking about the things that we need to do and take care of. We tend to get frustrated and our minds just seem to take over with all kinds of thoughts.

We all have the power of taking control over our minds and our thoughts. It is not an easy task to most people and for others it comes naturally. It is imperative to remain positive at all times no matter what the situation, no matter what we are going through. Yes, it is easier said than done. It takes practice.

Words have a lot of power whether they are negative or positive. Having positive thoughts in every situation no matter what is happening in your life or around you have a major effect. The words we speak are vitally important. Words can set us free, or place us in bondage. Our conversation can literally bring life or death. We must learn how to talk in a new way. A new way is necessary, because the old way, filled with negative words, produced sorrow and unhappiness.(Clowers, 1995)  

There have been some who have said if you speak something long enough, it will happen. There is truth to that statement, but let's clarify it. What happens is that when we speak, whether negative or positive, we give one the right to bring it to pass. Positive words that are conceived in your heart, then formed by the tongue, and spoken out of your own mouth, become a spiritual force, releasing the ability of your positivity within you. (Clowers, 1995)

Ask and allow the universe to cleanse your spirit and your soul. Be conscience of the words you speak. Speak from a place of love instead of hatred. Think before you speak and replace negative words with positive and uplifting words.

Meditation is a great way to get connected and become in touch with the universe. Allowing the universe to work through you and for you. Ask the universe to help you be cognizant of the words you speak and to fill your heart with love. What you feel in your heart will transmit to your thoughts and out of your mouth.

Let’s look at an example, if you lose your job, don't complain. Speak positive words such as, "The universe will provide. The universe has something better for me. The universe directs my path." Don't give into feelings and speak negatively. Negative thinking will make you believe and say things like, "I don't know what we're going to do," or "We'll probably lose the house, the car, the furniture and everything we have." Don't repeat these things even though you may feel like it!

In times of tests and trials, we can learn to speak only positive words, words which are in agreement with the universe. Our words, your words have the power to produce life or death. Evil or negative words affect us both inwardly and outwardly. If we take the love within us and selfishly turn it inward, it will destroy. That is why it is so important to always speak good things.

The choice to either be fulfilled or destroyed by our words is given to each person. We can make the choice to be fulfilled by good words spoken over others and ourselves.(Clowers, 1995)

 

Spiritual Cleansing

We live in a world and don't see the unknown but sometimes feel it.  Have you ever seen a black shadow pass you?  Have you ever had dreams as though you are falling and wake up just as you are going to hit the ground?  If you have answered yes to any of these, then you must believe that we all have an intuition and no matter what form it is or how it comes.

First, you have to acknowledge it and accept it.  Do not be afraid, the universe gives us all gifts.  Some people do not explore, accept and receive but rather turn away from it.  Accepting the gifts we receive from the universe is a powerful thing.  The universe gives it to you to use it, to enhance your life, to stay connected, etc.

Start off by meditating or praying to the universe, ask for guidance and patiently wait for a response.  You may not get one right away, maybe a day or two later, however, you will hear, feel, and see.  In the meantime, clean yourself off, not only by taking a bath, but clean your aura. 

By cleaning your aura, you can feel lighter and think clearly.  Take an egg and rinse it under cold water, pray over it and pass it all over your body starting from the head all the way down to your feet, as though you were taking a bath.  The egg sucks up all the negative energy, you may even feel the difference in the egg as it may feel heavier than when you first started to use it.  That's because it picks up all that negative energy that is waying you down.

After you have cleaned yourself thoroughly throw the egg out in the streets preferably in a street corner that you usually do not walk by.  Thank the universe!