Full. Real. Unfinished.

 Their doctrine does not feel kind.  In my core, it feels yucky.  Stagnant.  It makes me spin.  It makes me question myself.  In my uncertainty, I go nowhere.  I make zero progress.  I feel confused.  Worried.  Frightened.  Sad.     I'm standing in a fun house.  On the outside there's happy music, colorful flowers, smiling faces.  It's so inviting.  Inside it's a maze of deceptive mirrors and alluring promises.  So much to love- it entices me everywhere.  With my head held high I try to move forward, but inevitably slam face first into mirrors that I didn't know were there.  BAM!     I turn in another direction, moving a little slower this time and guarding my now aching head.  BAM!     The force is intense, bruises forming on my forehead.  I begin to speak up.  I rally the leaders for help. I try to warn the people.  But no one does a thing.  Stran...

“Well yeah, that must be easy for YOU to teach women to love their bodies.    It would be easy for ME also if my body looked like yours.” It felt like a stab in the back.    I felt my face get hot.    I felt stumped for words.    I didn’t say a thing. I knew this acquaintance of mine didn’t mean to be rude.    I was caught off guard by her comment, but when I thought about it later, it didn’t surprise me.    I used to believe the same thing.    I used to feel that if I could just  CHANGE  my body,  THEN  I could love it.    It’s taken a lot of soul work to get to where I am today, to a place where I love my body  deeply ,  fully, unconditionally. I was unprepared to respond when we were together, but my dear new friend, can I have a second chance?    I’m ready to respond now.    And I see you. I see that from where you are standing, from your point of view, i...