Features - Health

Lesson learned today: There’s beauty to be found in my (formerly) pretty good body.

I’m at the gym, hiding behind a towel as I wiggle my way into my exercise bra. I pray that no one notices that my breasts have doubled in both volume and length. What I wished for in my flat chested teens, has belatedly come true, along with the added challenges of gravity.

I glance to my left and see a woman—a large woman, totally naked talking to a woman about the benefits of swimming. Here’s someone my own age experiencing unabashed comfort in her own imperfect body.

A marvelous ah-a moment! Why not celebrate who I am? I care enough to take care of myself, I will no longer hide. I will strip naked, primp and powder while chatting with whoever shares the locker next to me. I am grateful for the body I’ve been given that enables me to experience the benefits of exercise and healthful living.

- Debbie Winton

Self Acceptance

I achieved Rubenesque status
by eating reubens,
living life fully, indulging to the hilt.  
Fondly, I remember fondue.
The bakery, sacred to me.
I approach pie with what one
can only regard as piety.

Thank You for this ample frame,
which allowed me to
nurse a child, embrace a lover,
envelop friends with warmth,
carry the weight of the world on my shoulders.

Thank You for this, shall we say, “Largess,”
which makes even a wooden chair comfortable,
since I carry my own cushion on my person.
Thank You for the tincture of time and the wisdom of years,
which makes me appreciate my fullness—fully.  
Now, pass the pasta.

- Ruth Williams

"Should we cover-up, let it all hang-out,
or meet in the middle?"

Features - Health

“What you choose is what you lose.” That was the advice I received by a weight-loss counselor. I’m someone who struggles daily with ‘weighty’ issues.

While this philosophy may apply to shedding pounds, I suggest that the flip-side is a key for spiritual health and happiness: “What you choose is what you gain.”

Choice is a complex matter deeply rooted in individual behavior patterns and influenced by genetic pre-dispositions. We all seem to struggle with some type of addictive challenge, ranging from serious problems with alcohol consumption, or gambling excesses, to a shoe fetish.

Personally, along with several other weaknesses, I find it hard to resist handbags. I already have a wonderful collection of perfectly useless choices and yet I’m off to another church yard sale! To buy or not to buy, that is the question, and therein lays my power of choice.

On a spiritual level, we have daily opportunities to exercise choice. For example, will we believe in a supreme being or reject the concept altogether?    If we look to the positive consequences of making such a profound choice, we’ll realize we have chosen to gain.

- Sharon Sinclair

© 2011 Sharon Sinclair. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted with permission.

Sharon Sinclair is a poet, author and inspirational speaker. Her book Water from the Moon is available in print and on CD. Visit her website at www.poetryspeaker.com.

Mind Games

Trigger my mind to love.
My thoughts will come alive.
I will love everyone
and everything today.
I am in control.
I can make the decision
to love today.
You have given me the gift of choice.
No matter what I am going through,
I will manifest the fruit of love.

- Brenda Scott

"WHAT HAVE YOU GAINED BY THE SPIRITUAL CHOICES YOU’VE MADE?"

Features - Health

The photographer said, “Do you want me to re-touch it?  Everybody does it.”

If he hadn’t said, “Everybody does it,” I might have gone ahead and wiped away all of my flaws.  But if we’re all fudging the images of ourselves, can we ever really know each other?

Looking at my picture, I took stock: I’m stiff, my blouse is rumpled, and I’m squinting.

Stiff? To be sure. Like most writers, I’m used to being in front of a computer, not a camera.

Rumpled? Indeed. Most days, I’m meeting deadlines and running errands, so I usually am disheveled.

Squinting? Oh yes. Being legally blind in one eye, it means I’m trying to see you.

These imperfections could easily have been erased, but it would have been like disowning the life I’ve lived and second-guessing the One who gave me that life.

So I think I’ll keep my photo just the way it is:  true-to-life.  After all, Someone took the time and energy to create me this way; the least I can do is be myself, no matter who’s looking at me.

READ MORE from the extended feature!

- Ruth Williams

Ruth Williams is a founding member of the Prayables PrayMaker Council and freelance writer living in central Jersey, with her son, Coleman. You can read more from Ruth on prayables.com and on her blog; Freelance Writing, Jersey Life, and Everything Else in Between.

What If?

You probably think I should be over this by now.
A lifetime of temptation, giving up, starting again—
follow me into the turmoil of my mind.

My body will never be what I want it to be.
It's too late for my version of perfect.
Age eliminates firm arms, slender waist.

Truth broadcasts itself through my conscience.
What is left? Can I set new goals?
Eliminate old thought patterns?

What if I aim not for perfect body, but loving heart?
What if I learn to care about me, like You do?
What if I see myself as You see me?

Precious, beloved, created for joy.
I am important in my speck of the world.
I am grateful for your patience with me.
I begin again.

- Brenda Woods

"WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR IMPERFECTIONS?"

Features - Health

“Meta.”  When used as a prefix, it connotes a change in the position or state of something. Metamorphosis is a change from one thing into a completely new entity.

Once before, the term “meta” came into my life, to devastating effect. In 1999, my father was diagnosed with colon cancer, and the doctor told me it had metastasized, so it was fatal.

Two things crossed my mind at that moment: What kind of world doesn’t have this man in it? And, metasta-size?

What a weird word. What is the size of “metasta?” Must be mighty big. Bigger than the human heart can bear.

My father lasted until shortly after my birthday, and then his body gave out.

I think we should all “metatate” today. As in meditate, only change our way of thinking about it. Let’s not go into it thinking we’re going to be all touchy-feely and escape the world; let’s bring it into the world with us.

Why, you’d have to be downright meta-physical to pull that one off. Or know Someone who is. Give it a try — just for today — and let your faith flag fly.

READ MORE from the extended feature!

- Ruth Williams

Ruth Williams is a founding member of the Prayables PrayMaker Council and freelance writer living in central Jersey, with her son, Coleman. You can read more from Ruth on prayables.com and on her blog; Freelance Writing, Jersey Life, and Everything Else in Between.

Raising the Bar

Today is the day of absolute abandon.
Blessings beyond belief.

New perspectives. Ancient traditions.
Friends I haven't met yet.

Listening deeply. Feeling fully.

This is the day I say yes to everything.
Life, love, risk, spinning yarns,
being in the moment.

Surround me with the sound of church bells,
voices chanting, children playing.

Give me all that a life can contain
and joy du jour, until
my jaw hurts from laughing.

Make it possible for me
to do what's right and still
keep it real, and keep it light.

- Ruth Williams

"HOW DOES PRAYER CHANGE YOU?"