Good day to you all. Happy holiday weekend. I hope we are all celebrating this time with some family and friends. In honor of the theme of liberty and justice for all I find myself turning inward to my own efforts at such. I have taken some time to consider in ways I have created a healthy mind and spirit that have liberated me.
I have done so with my commitment to what I call “the fierce abandonment of perfection.” I have read passages in books and listened to the idea of abandoning perfection as a form of liberation; I choose to do so fiercely. This has helped keep the healthy approach to my life and the choices that I make. A “fierce abandonment of perfection” in my body, mind and spirit has restored balance when I have felt disjointed. Here is how I define it and the steps I have taken in this direction.
Body- Our bodies are living breathing entities of our spirit and with such we do ourselves good to respect their purpose. We show respect towards our bodies when we use supportive and complementary language to describe how we look. Our inner voice that begs to criticize and scrutinize our reflection in the mirror can often be the voice that leads us to take up unhealthy practices like over eating. Our perfectionism can be burdensome to our bodies and place undue pressure weighing us down. We do ourselves good when we find healthy practices that honor our bodies. Exercises that welcome a contemplative spirit towards appreciating ones body. Yoga and walking come to mind. Through both I find myself taking a spiritual journey of good energy and health into my being grateful.
Mind- Our minds are critical to how well our bodies receive the healthy practices we engage in. Focusing on progress rather than perfection keeps us motivated and in spirit with our bodies. When we invite the wisdom of the day into our being we are creating a pathway for positive energy to transfer to us. We are directing our minds in the spirit of newness and opportunity. We are turning ourselves away from the criticism that accompanies perfection and towards loving kindness. Practicing such within ourselves and with one another we affirm that we are good, honorable and open-hearted. The more we settle our minds in this space the closer we bring health into our lives.
Spirit- Our spirits seek to be appreciated. When we take a spiritual approach to our lives in our own unique way, we affirm that we are reflections of good faith. Good faith towards ourselves and others allows us to communicate with full appreciation of the spirit that is within us. When we do so we are choosing to live by the practice of Being rather than Doing. We are human beings and this gift of life is one that is full of spiritual transformations. Each experience is filled with moments that bring our hearts to flourish when we appreciate the full spirit that is us. When I make a choice and consider it, I do myself good when I take my spiritual self into the decision. It is usually a kind and gentle voice, a supportive and protective part of me that speaks up and gives me permission to be kind and generous towards myself.
So in this celebrations of lights, sounds, colors and reflective skies take time to see your own light of health shining bright. Celebrate the ways you care for yourself in body, mind and spirit and know by doing so you are declaring yourself free of the obstacles that may have bind you to unhealthy practices. It is your day, make it your own and abandon the perfection.
In health,
Safara
