Experience Makes a Difference
portrayed an ideal . But that is just it - ideals are things that can rarely be reached . Airbrushed magazine covers and perfectly posed models or even the things we choose to post on social media don ’ t speak the truth . Low self-esteem is an epidemic . Even the most famous people have been told that they were too thin , fat , etc . for the role they were trying to audition for .
So that led me to ask some people what they DO like about their bodies . I was initially expecting different muscle groups , but I asked my almost five year old daughter and she said her heart . I asked in the Mind Body Balance Yoga class and I got heart and eyes and smile . So for many , those are things they aren ’ t specifically “ working out ” at the gym ….. yet perhaps they are . Perhaps their achievements are a cause for a smile . Perhaps their workout is what is needed to keep their heart running and their breath going . In Buddhist teachings , it all comes back to the heart and the breath .
Consider this - our bodies are fluid . They are 50-65 % water after all . We hold certain shapes , but they are constantly shifting . We look at ourselves in photos , and some we recognize and some we don ’ t . We either wish we could go back to our teenage years , or our skinny selves , or we wish those awkward years never happened .
Perhaps we need to think back to a time before we internalized all those negative messages . Watch young children splashing around in the pool , or running on the soccer field . They aren ’ t so self-conscious .
They are much more free .
When I spoke with fellow member Sue Boyd , she said something that really resonated with me - something I really needed to hear at the time . I complimented her on how she looked . She told me that “ It wasn ’ t about looking good - it was about feeling good .” She is so right . It is a state of mind . You need to love yourself
Here ’ s to loving ourselves more .
right now as you are . Let ’ s not dwell on the aches and pains , the past injuries , the future fears , chasing those last five pounds we need to lose or that one saggy spot . Our bodies are amazing . We push them to the limit , but they keep on going for us . They may falter , but they recover .
I was reading Jen Sincero ’ s book , You Are A Badass : How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life . Essentially every single chapter ended with the need to love yourself . The longer you repeat the negative messages , the stronger they become . Start retraining your point of view . This is definitely something I need to do for myself . New beginnings can happen at any time . What you start today , your future self will thank you for . So here ’ s to loving ourselves more .
When it comes to entrusting your loved one ’ s dementia care to a long-term care community , who can you trust ?
Our warm and caring staff members have extensive longevity at Arden Courts ; those pictured above have a combined total of a century of serving individuals with Alzheimer ’ s and related dementias .
Don ’ t just take our word for it . Come see for yourself the difference experience makes .
Call ( 302 ) 761-4805 or e-mail Wilmington @ arden-courts . com to arrange for your personal tour and to receive a free dementia education kit .
700 ½ Foulk Road Wilmington , DE 19803 ( 302 ) 761-4805
www . arden-courts . com
Maureen ’ s Hair Salon and Day Spa was so excited to provide makeover services to the 2016 HAC Lifestyle Challenge winners !! Located in Stoney Creek Plaza , serving the community with a desire for providing an excellent salon experience ! Find Maureen ’ s on FB and check out our latest Instagram ! @ maureenshairsalonanddayspa
4813 LIMESTONE RD . WILMINGTON , DE 19808 ( 302 ) 234-7800
TM
Memory Care Community
enhance magazine | JULY 2016 31