In the quiet turning of seasons, there is an invitation – a soft call to surrender, to witness the body as it shifts and evolves. The Tao Te Ching whispers;
By staying in a state of awe and bewilderment, I loosen ego’s hold on my thinking. My body is perfect, born at precisely the right time, and this is my perfect age. I accept myself as I am, and I surrender to the natural course of my body’s destiny.
The Journey of Body Transitions
Throughout life, our body moves through countless transitions – each one asking us to release what was and make space for what is becoming. Sometimes, these changes arise through intentional healing, as we begin to care for ourselves more deeply and the body responds with physical transformation. Whether it’s the tender shift from adolescence into adulthood, the profound transformation of motherhood, the quiet grief of losing certain abilities, or the natural aging of the body, each phase of these body transitions calls us to adapt, to soften, and to accept.
For some, this body transformation may come after significant medical changes – such as surgeries that alter the body’s form, like mastectomies, hysterectomies, amputations, or even elective surgeries – where the body becomes a canvas of both loss and profound resilience.
Self-Acceptance Through Life Changes
It’s important to acknowledge that acceptance doesn’t always come easily. For many, especially those in the midst of struggle, the idea of surrendering to body transitions (changes) can feel overwhelming, even impossible. Fear, discomfort, and resistance are natural responses – especially when healing or recovery feels fragile.
This journey isn’t linear, and it doesn’t happen all at once. Sometime, acceptance begins with simply noticing how you feel without judgment or offering yourself small moments of care when you can.
Understanding Resistance to Change
In my own journey, one of my final acts of returning home to my body was the decision to have my breast implants removed. At age 19, I underwent breast enhancement surgery because of deep self-consciousness about my small breasts. After my second child, I had a replacement surgery, which resulted in implants larger than I had wanted. I carried these ‘prosthetic’ breasts through my eating disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and even into my recovery – which also altered my body shape.
Removing them at age 50 was both emotional and terrifying. I had no idea what my body would look like after bearing such heavy implants for so long. Would this trigger my eating disorder? How would I handle the scars? I had to work incredibly hard during healing to understand that what I saw in the mirror was not the final result, but an ongoing process of healing.
Small Steps Toward Acceptance
My focus gradually shifted to how I felt – to the deeper knowing that I was finally living in alignment with my values and my belief that we are perfect as we are, even if our bodies change from their original form. This act of self-care taught me that my worth is rooted in my soul and being, not in my physical form.
My body is simply the container for my spirit, and it doesn’t matter how it looks or what it can do. What matters is that I care for it in a nurturing, life-giving way, allowing my soul to live freely, unchained by societal constructs designed to commodify and profit from my insecurities.
For those walking the path of eating disorder recovery, the body has long felt like an adversary – something to control, to restrain, to mold into an ideal that feels just beyond reach. Yet, within this verse lies a gentle truth: the body was never meant to be conquered. It is to be witnessed, honored, and allowed to unfold in its own time.
Recovery asks this of us – to step into awe and bewilderment, to marvel at the body’s resilience, even when it feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable. And when awe feels too distant, perhaps the smallest step is enough – a pause, a breath, or the soft recognition that the body is doing its best.
Learning to Trust Your Body
No matter the stage of life, the invitation is the same: surrender. Not as defeat, but as trust – trust that the body knows what it is doing, trust that we were born at precisely the right time, and that this moment, this age, is exactly where we are meant to be. This trust doesn’t have to be immediate or absolute. In can begin with curiosity – asking, what would it feel like to trust my body, even for a moment?
To surrender is not to give up, but to soften. To release the grip of ego – the voice that says we must look a certain way, be a certain weight, stay perpetually youthful or capable. It is to recognize that our bodies are not problems to be solved but stories to be lived. Every scar, every line, every curve and shift tell of resilience, or survival, of becoming.
Closing Reflections on Acceptance and Freedom
Impermanence is the quiet truth woven throughout all of life. Nothing stays the same, and therein lies the beauty. Every moment is fleeting, precious, and unrepeatable. When we cling to how things were or how we wish they would be, we miss the quiet miracle of now. This breath, this heartbeat, this moment – all of it is temporary. And because it is temporary, it matters profoundly.
May we stay in awe of this becoming. May we stand bewildered by the intricate ways our bodies carry us forward – through body transitions, hunger and healing, through youth and age, through loss and rediscovery. And may we, in this awe, loosen the hold of ego and sink into the truth that we are already enough. Our bodies are already enough.
This is not a path of perfection but of presence. Not control, but compassion. Let the body unfold. Let it lead. Let it be.
Whisper to yourself in a quiet moment: I accept myself as I am. I surrender to the natural course of my body’s destiny.
And in that surrender, may you find freedom.
A Gentle Invitation to Reconnect
If you’re interested in exploring what it means to reconnect with your body and navigate life’s transitions with compassion, I invite you to reach out. Connect with me here.
DISCLAIMER
The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, mental health provider, or another qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental health concern.
This blog does not provide medical or psychiatric advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your healthcare routine.
If you are in a crisis or think you may have a medical or mental health emergency, seek immediate medical attention or call emergency services. U.S. residents can text 988 to the Suicide and Crisis hotline.
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