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How do I run my mind? One day, this question occurred to me, and I started thinking over it. How could I rejuvenate myself regularly and keep myself fit (in mind and body) for the great adventure we call life?
“Self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others.” – Parker Palmer
I decided to actively seek positive motivation for my life; an inducement that would rejuvenate me from within, help me to rediscover myself and fill my life with positive vibes. That is how I started running.
I started running as a means to heal an unhealthy body, but also found mental toughness, fitness, patience, and clarity along the way. Running is not just about physical fitness, but has also made me confident of conquering one mile at a time; one day after another.
A great initiative to inspire more women to run is The ‘Pinkathon’, a 10 km International Run only for women, driven by a group of empowered women, who believe that a healthy body and a healthy mind are the two pillars of strength with the innate capability of injecting positivity, happiness and health into our lives.
Every woman should take control of her body and her mind. Loving and respecting yourself is not as selfish as it might sound. Rather it is the first positive step towards empowerment; a feeling that is not a gift from the society but a gift that you give yourself.
As Buddha puts in, “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection”.
Whether you’re pleasingly plump or long and lean, loving your body and accepting it as it is will make you and your relationships happier for sure!
Here are 5 reasons why you should first love yourself to ensure a healthy mind and healthy relationships.
It doesn’t really matter what others think or say if you feel beautiful inside. If you’re hard on yourself, the people around you will jump on the same bandwagon; they will be hard on you, too. The more you honour and appreciate your body, the more likely it is that you’ll attract positive and uplifting people into your life. Stop being critical of your looks; stop comparing yourself to others – you’re being unjust to yourself. Instead, focus on your best qualities because the right person will appreciate the person behind the veil and beyond the physical manifestations.
The next time you look into the mirror, remember that people who care, people who see you beyond your imperfections, to them you are 20% more beautiful than how you see yourself. When you see through the glass of physical attributes, all you see are the visible flaws. But when others see you they take in your personality, attitude, humour, wit, sex appeal, and intelligence. In short they accept you along with your physical imperfections; so it doesn’t really matter.
We need to love our bodies to leave a positive legacy in all the relationships in our lives. Remember, others are watching you even if you are not. The more we honour and respect our bodies, the less others will feel the need to mutilate or abuse their bodies to attain perfection. No one is perfect; celebrate imperfection; love yourself. Remember that, practice that, preach that and leave a legacy to follow.
I remember one of my friends blaming her body weight for her ‘single’ relationship status. I believe there is a direct correlation between hating your body and retaining weight. When you constantly bombard your mind with negative thoughts and comments, your body rebels and it is less likely to cooperate with your attempts to lose weight or get healthy. Love yourself and it will repair your relationship with your body and make it more willing to cooperate with your requests.
In the words of Dorothy Day, “Food for the body is not enough. There must be food for the soul” and loving your body is just the right food for your soul because a healthy and fit body has an unstoppable authority over its mind. It surrounds the mind with positive vibes helping the mind to identify the priorities in life and cataloguing it accordingly. Be a master of your own life.
My aunt always said, “You have the hips of your grandma.” I love my curves because it makes me feel like a woman. They also remind me of a person whom I loved so dearly; a person who did not belong to the age of ‘Google’, had never been to school, yet had knowledge that would put a university professor to shame and an attitude that I often feel guilty of not inheriting from her as well. So ladies, celebrate your quirkiness and thank your Grandma. Stop judging yourselves through someone else’s eyes.
When your opinion of yourself goes up then you stop trying to get so much validation and attention from other people. You become less needy and find an inner stability even when your world might be negative or uncertain at times.
The increasing self-esteem and self-love will make you feel more deserving of good things in life; if you are single and looking for a partner, self-love gives you the confidence to go out and look for a partner with whom you connect mutually. You build relationships that are rooted in common interests; relationships that are rewarding; relationships that believe in giving mutual respect.
Feel proud of your body and your self and others will soon follow your lead!
Are you an amazing woman who loves herself and wants to find a partner who will appreciate the unique ‘YOU’? You should be on Woo, India’s leading matchmaking app that considers women’s well-being and safety their priority. They match over 10,000 singles daily and recently crossed over 1 million installs.
Woo is proud to be the official matchmaking partner of Pinkathon – an international marathon that has brought together a growing community of women committed to bringing about change. Pinkathon raises awareness for women’s empowerment, good health and fitness.
Post supported by Woo
A part time backpacker, an accidental baker, a doting mother, a loving wife, a pampered daughter, an inspired blogger, an amateur photographer read more...
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