I Don’t Want To Die Hating My Body⁣
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Please, don’t let me lay on my deathbed⁣
Reviewing my life with regret⁣
Because I wasted it on hating my body⁣
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I don’t want to die wishing I was thinner⁣
Wishing that I hadn’t eaten that chocolate croissant⁣
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I don’t want to leave this earth⁣
Feeling like I needed to apologize for my belly⁣
My thighs or my double chin⁣
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I don’t want to occupy any more mental real estate⁣
On what tomorrow’s diet should be,⁣
how to hide my rolls,⁣
Or what someone else thinks of my shape⁣
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I don’t want my last breath to be a release from the captivity of body-shame.⁣
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I won’t do it.⁣
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It’s been too many years, decades, lifetimes⁣
Of letting the pursuit of perfection⁣
shroud my joy, kill my pleasure, extinguish my beauty⁣
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I won’t die hating my body.⁣
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Instead I’ll live…⁣
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Caring for this body⁣
Not dominating her⁣
Not depriving her⁣
So that I’ve lived in a free body⁣
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I’ll live…⁣
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Talking respectfully to this body⁣
Not bossing her⁣
Not shaming her⁣
So that I’ve imbued her with honor⁣
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Each day choosing this body⁣
As she is⁣
To live with and within⁣
⁣
Until I die⁣
And leave this sacred skin⁣
with appreciation for being my home⁣
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~ Nina Manolson⁣
Body-Peace® Coach⁣