Rea, your journey from self-rejection to self-love is profoundly moving. The way you've transformed pain into wisdom and reclaimed ownership of your own narrative shows incredible courage. Your body truly is a miracle, not just for surviving, but for carrying you through to this place of healing and self-acceptance. The strength it took to write these words and share this truth will undoubtedly help others who have walked similar paths. Thank you for contributing to IAMDay and for being so vulnerably human in your sharing. Your voice matters.
Thank you for your inspiration, Joe. You once told me to write boldly and proudly, and I never forgot that. Thank you for inviting me to contribute to IAMday!
Rea, I’m sad about the violence your experienced earlier in life. It is sickening that our broken societies enable men acting out abusively. And you show such inner strength, both to heal to take ownership of your own body, and to write about here. Thank you for making this aspect of our current system visible to the world 🙏❤️
Men - those we can trust especially medical professionals.
Even at my old age - it happened a few times in the past few years by male professions close to my age. One was by a dentist recently that kept poking my thigh while I was getting a dental procedure.
Anyway. I will be too old for this soon or the creeps will keep getting older. Meanwhile my body hurts knee back but hey some old creeps still find me hot
Body dysmorphia is a powerful foe and something I share. It's so important to name it and I have found that this alone reduces its power. Thank you for speaking so honestly here! <3
I had a similar journey. Once I began to revel in my self, love my body at every stage and size, my entire outlook on life changed. The power dynamic shifted and creeps didn't dare approach. Their shame is not my shame, and those who took advantage of us before? They will have their own judgment day. We are free. Love, Virg.
Oh Rea, even the way you began this piece moved me. From "I Am" to "What God Intended" which came as a surprise when the email opened up. Like another commenter here, I too have suffered from body dysmorphia since my teens (a gift from our beauty obsessed culture) and your journey "back to your body" spoke powerfully to me. It's amazing how our bodies never give up on us, they are our dearest friends in this life. Thank you for writing about life and the battles we fight! We are all one and your strength uplifts your readers. What you wrote brought this quote below to mind for me which I keep and hold dear. I will save this piece of yours, it's powerful.
"Our body is our most precious friend. It works ceaselessly to maintain health and harmony and is our vehicle for expression and experience in this world. What could be more valuable and worthy of care and protection? It never works against us, but always does its best with whatever it has to work with." ~Dr. Will Tuttle
Rea, your journey from self-rejection to self-love is profoundly moving. The way you've transformed pain into wisdom and reclaimed ownership of your own narrative shows incredible courage. Your body truly is a miracle, not just for surviving, but for carrying you through to this place of healing and self-acceptance. The strength it took to write these words and share this truth will undoubtedly help others who have walked similar paths. Thank you for contributing to IAMDay and for being so vulnerably human in your sharing. Your voice matters.
Thank you for your inspiration, Joe. You once told me to write boldly and proudly, and I never forgot that. Thank you for inviting me to contribute to IAMday!
Rea
your body is a miracle That has life and breath That hungers and digests That is creased, wrinkled, sexual That works with
the most amazing messages of what
when and how Coded and curled in every cell
Celebrate your being
That it does, Adrian.
Rea, I’m sad about the violence your experienced earlier in life. It is sickening that our broken societies enable men acting out abusively. And you show such inner strength, both to heal to take ownership of your own body, and to write about here. Thank you for making this aspect of our current system visible to the world 🙏❤️
Thank you for standing with us! It’s an abomination that they do it so shamelessly.
I’m standing next to you here <3
Thank you, Jenny! <3
I just want to shout hallelujah Rea…this is such an emboldened, celebratory post 🙌🙌🙌
Thank you, dearest Esther! I appreciate your support through all the madness. Hugs!
I've had a love/hate experience with my body.
I suffer body dysmorphia.
Men - those we can trust especially medical professionals.
Even at my old age - it happened a few times in the past few years by male professions close to my age. One was by a dentist recently that kept poking my thigh while I was getting a dental procedure.
Anyway. I will be too old for this soon or the creeps will keep getting older. Meanwhile my body hurts knee back but hey some old creeps still find me hot
It's a power struggle
I am too old for this nonsense and it has nothing to do with age, Jane. These creeps will outlive us. : )
Sadly I'm realizing this.
Body dysmorphia is a powerful foe and something I share. It's so important to name it and I have found that this alone reduces its power. Thank you for speaking so honestly here! <3
Thanks. I recently started to share that struggle I have. I didn't realize it had an name until a few years ago
Same! It took me until I was in my 40's...
Rea, the journey to self love is never an easy one. Thank you for the vulnerability and strength it took to share your story. 🫂💖💫
I pray 🙏 that one day young girls will never suffer like so many of us have.
I pray that too Debra! Thank you. <3
Thank you for sharing this, brave soul! 🙏Im happy for the transformation. Love to you 💗
Love back to you, Lidia! <3
I had a similar journey. Once I began to revel in my self, love my body at every stage and size, my entire outlook on life changed. The power dynamic shifted and creeps didn't dare approach. Their shame is not my shame, and those who took advantage of us before? They will have their own judgment day. We are free. Love, Virg.
That they will, Virg!
Much love, my friend.
Aside from the maddening men, I’m glad you realized that you are what God intended.
Me too, Andrew!
Oh Rea, even the way you began this piece moved me. From "I Am" to "What God Intended" which came as a surprise when the email opened up. Like another commenter here, I too have suffered from body dysmorphia since my teens (a gift from our beauty obsessed culture) and your journey "back to your body" spoke powerfully to me. It's amazing how our bodies never give up on us, they are our dearest friends in this life. Thank you for writing about life and the battles we fight! We are all one and your strength uplifts your readers. What you wrote brought this quote below to mind for me which I keep and hold dear. I will save this piece of yours, it's powerful.
"Our body is our most precious friend. It works ceaselessly to maintain health and harmony and is our vehicle for expression and experience in this world. What could be more valuable and worthy of care and protection? It never works against us, but always does its best with whatever it has to work with." ~Dr. Will Tuttle
The quote you mentioned is beautiful, Stephanie. We are indeed all one. <3
Rea, you are a remarkable lady, thank you for sharing. That cannot have been easy to write. Take care….
We can learn to live with anything, Mark. Thank you.
That’s so true…. 🙏
🙏🙏
<3 <3
Namaste ✌️❤️🙏
Namaste <3
This was so great to read. I understand you so well. I am on a similar journey-not quite there yet but this is how I want to feel in my body as well!
Wonderful becoming of your Self, Octarine! <3 <3