Gratitude for my body

A woman leaping with joy in the street.

Thank you lungs for breathing…in and out…in and out. For sustaining life, of course, but also for grounding me when my thoughts are spinning. I can always stop and focus on my breath. Breathing in…and breathing out…breathing in…and breathing out.

Thank you heart for beating continuously day in and day out…never taking a break…whether I acknowledge your dedication and hard work or not…even if I don’t give you a second thought throughout my busy day. 

Thank you body for pleasant sensations…a good massage…the taste of delicious food…the sweet smell of flowers…the sight of rainbows.

Thank you body for the unpleasant sensations…yes, even the pain. The pain helps me recognize that something is wrong…needs to be corrected or adjusted. Of course, the unpleasant sensations also highlight the pleasant ones and make them even more enjoyable.

Thank you body for the neutral sensations. Sometimes I fail to appreciate the lack of discomfort…the quiet times when seemingly nothing is happening. I do thank you for the calm…the quiet.

Thank you muscles and bones for moving me around. Thank you organs for keeping things running smoothly. Thank you skin for holding us all together. Thank you brain for keeping everything working….and for allowing me to think all these deep thoughts. (I’m only being partially sarcastic with that comment.)

So yes, body, we’ve had a complicated relationship. Sometimes you’ve disappointed me. Often I’ve failed to appreciate you or treat you with the respect you deserve. But today, I am publicly thanking you and acknowledging your strength and beauty.

I love my strong, healthy body. I treat it with kindness and respect.

Your turn

  1. What can you thank your body for in this moment?
  2. What do you do to treat your body with kindness and respect?
  3. What else is on your mind? Anything at all…I just love to hear from you.

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8 Comments

  1. Hmmmm, I’m wondering if you wrote this just for me? ? SOOOO true. I’ve honestly been a bit disappointed in my body lately. I’ve always exercised and ate fairly healthy, and still I had a slipped disc with a pinched nerve. But after surgery the doctor said I have very healthy bones and because I’ve taken care of myself I should heal quickly with good results. Thank you bones! And organs and brain as well. Thanks for your post too. Love you sis!

    1. Truth be told, I did a guided gratitude meditation, and he talked about gratitude for your body…which inspired this post. However, I must admit when I published it, I thought of you. I am sorry you’ve had to go through this, but I am grateful your healthy living is paying off in helping your body heal faster and better. I love you!

  2. I thank my body for allowing me to stand up, sit down, and snooze soundly. I also like that I can drink warm beverages and eat food using my own teeth.

    Oh and I thank my body for letting me read this post, and type out a comment. I think I’m sounding very old here, aren’t I?

  3. Christie, I am thankful for strong bones (had my first ever bone-density test this week), good sleep patterns (I get at least 8 hours each night), and a mostly peaceful, but still functioning mind.

    1. That’s wonderful, Suzanne. I haven’t had a bone-density test, but I think my doctor is going to order one at my next exam. Hopefully, all the weight-bearing physical activity is paying off in that department. I’m jealous that you get such good sleep. I spend at least 7.5 hours in bed each night, but some nights I sleep more than others. Still I am thankful that I don’t have serious insomnia like some people I know. And a peaceful, functioning mind is definitely something to appreciate!

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