Summer is here! The sun is out and the swimsuits are on. It is the time of year when we, more than ever, assess and judge the physical containers in which we live and experience our lives – our bodies. Gyms are joined and tanning becomes a priority. The heat is, quite literally, on.
I recently went in for my yearly physical. I was weighed, examined, and checked. I was asked about my food and exercise habits as well as how much alcohol and prescription medication I consume. We reviewed my previous lab results. I was impressed by how many numbers these medical professionals were gathering, reviewing, and recording. To my doctor, each number was a piece of a puzzle that when put together, represented my physical health. As I recall her scanning my chart, I imagine her taking each piece of information and fitting it with the next one to construct a complete picture of my body. So many pieces to make the image whole. Each number counted. I, however, was only familiar with one number – my weight. The other numbers were foreign and easily forgotten. But my weight I know. That is the number that holds power.
In American society, numbers hold power. From age to the amount of money in your bank account, we allow numbers to represent us- our character, our identity, our worth. Weight is one such number. We use our weight, to define WHO WE ARE. Yet, as I was reminded, my weight, even my body, is just one piece of the puzzle. We have been tricked to believe that it is the body’s responsibility to make us happy, successful, attractive, loveable, and the list goes on and on. But as I take a step back, I realize that it is just one part of me. My body does not decide my personality, values, spirituality, sense of humor, or personal beliefs. Rather, my body is the physical home of all that I am. It does not define who I am, it is the vessel through which who I am is expressed. My senses allow me to experience the beauty of the world, my brain enables me to process and ponder life’s mysteries, my mouth facilitates conversation and connection with those around me, and my arms let me express my love and care through sharing a hug with those I love. Our bodies do so much for us, why do we expect them to do more? Why do we oppress our bodies with the expectation of defining us rather than merely allowing them to fulfill their purpose of facilitating life and the expression of who we are?
Each one of us is wonderfully unique, not one of us without distinctive quirks and eccentricities. What a loss if we allow focus on the size and shape of our physical containers to inhibit us from celebrating and sharing the incredible essence of who we are! I am who I am regardless of whether of not my body is the culturally sanctioned size or if my skin is the “right” sun-kissed shade of tan. A number does not determine my worth. Therefore, I invite you to join me this summer season in leaving the numbers behind and offering gratitude and kindness to the physical part of self rather than scrutiny and critique. We are all more than a number.