Bodies. Bodies. Everywhere.

I finally left the country for the first time in a long while. Life had been a whirlwind with my son graduating, my younger son’s activities, work, sports, and social obligations—the usual frenzy.

I yearned for something different, something fresh. I wanted to escape the daily bustle, the rush to catch the train, and the routine of grabbing my usual coffee.

I craved new surroundings, the challenge of a foreign language, and the experience of being an observer in a different culture. I didn't want to be the puzzle itself; I wanted to be simply a piece. 

So, we went to Europe. I found a small window of opportunity, and we seized it.

What stood out to me the most?

I know this is my work- and I may be more attuned than most, but I asked my husband- and he felt it, too; I witnessed the beauty of all the different bodies.

The difference in the culture surrounding us was clear; any body goes—the entire spectrum of body types.

Age did not have to be covered up because people were no longer 23 and pristine. There were bikinis and full pieces, cover-ups or not, food was eaten in the most unself-conscious way.  It felt like a fairy had sprinkled dust over everyone, which made our eyes and minds understand that we were all welcome here.

I must say- it was stunningly beautiful. The experience was hedonistic and luxurious. It all felt so welcoming and normal. 

This mindset shift reminded me that this is what human beings were intended for. The idea that we have decided that there is a coveted body type that we should all be striving for, which forces us to restrict and self-punish, is inhumane.

We just are not all intended to look the same. We are pushing ourselves to be something that we are not. 

As a result of this intense pressure, everything follows suit. We cannot relax into our skin. We do not allow ourselves to indulge or listen to our inner wants. We criticize how we look and feel tremendous shame for the bodies we inhabit. 

What has gotten lost is that our bodies are the vehicles we were given to drive us through life. Our specific genetic imprint is one of the few gifts we have that we cannot control. Yet we drive ourselves crazy trying to be something we were not encoded to be.

What would happen if we all kept screaming at triangles- that they should be circles? Or if we told the tulips, life would be better if they were peonies? What are we doing to ourselves?

I am going to keep pushing against the status quo. I will do it for myself, my children, my patients, and all of the men and women who walk on this earth.

Take good care of the vehicle we were given to drive us through life. Exercise, feed it well, sleep, and most importantly, enjoy and cherish it.

We only get one.

Why should we shame the gift we have been given? The benefits of refusing to take our bodies for granted are multifold. We must both take care of them, not mistreat them, and allow them their freedom and desires.

If you do those two things, I guarantee you- that what you weigh will feel much more comfortable than any weight you arrive at through criticism and shame.