Several weeks ago I moved my daughter into her first apartment. It was wet outside, and while we were carrying items in I noticed Christine becoming a bit agitated. Finally, she asked me if I could please “remove my shoes” due to tracking mud into her new place.  I laughed inside. This from a kid who’s bedroom in my home is carpeted with clothes. But that’s how we all are. We take better care of things that are new.

When I first bought my car, I vowed to keep it clean. Two years later, a frozen cup of pop is stuffed into a side pocket. Coats and papers line the backseat. It isn’t clean. It isn’t new. I don’t take very good car of my car any longer.

Same with our bodies. How often do take our bodies for granted?  Sometimes we even despise our body. We are the first to take a “jab” at our weight or size for fear someone else will beat us to the punch.

Whether you are in great shape or not, your body is still getting you through the day and for that reason alone, it should be appreciated.

It is alot easier to care for something we value. A good way to begin valuing our body is by taking considering its  magnificence.

In one day, your heart beats about 103,680 times. You don’t even have to think about it and there is is…beating away pumping an average of one million  barrels of blood in a lifetime. Wow. How cool is that?

Your liver  serves a vital function in almost every system in your body. It produces hormones and digestive enzymes, it filters your blood,  it provided the last bit of chemical digestion of medications. Your liver does all of this, without you even thinking of it!  You’ve got an amazing, beautiful, liver my friend!

Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It is said to contain about 45 miles of nerves endings which protect you from harm  by signaling pain but also signal pleasure when someone special kisses the back of your neck (oh yes!). Skin regulates our body temperature, acts as a protective barrier bacteria and viruses, and holds in your parts. Your skin rocks!

I could go on and on, because each one of us has so many lovely, wonderful body parts that get us through the day.

All these parts aside, you are unique. You may share talents with others, but you bring your own history and perpective making everything you touch uniquely yours.

Are you feeling special yet? You should be…pretty soon here…

So taking care of your blessed self just makes sense. It begins by treating yourself with kindness.

Do not belittle yourself. People come in different shapes and sizes. You are magnificent and once in forever and always. Taking a cruel shot at your wonderful self does not serve you. Treat yourself with respect.

One of the benefits of aging has to be recognizing that beauty isn’t skin deep. Beauty is a sum of all you are. 

We take better care of things we treasure. Take an accounting of wonderful you and all you bring to the world. Then begin taking very good and tender care of lovely you.