Does the joy with which your puppy greets you in the morning change if you are wearing make-up?
Does the first thrilling drop on a roller coast feel more exciting if you’ve met your exercise goals that day?
Are you able to have a more meaningful conversation with your closest friend because you skipped breakfast?
Do you cheer louder when your child scores her first soccer goal because you are on the Keto Diet?
Does the inspiring awe you feel watching a majestic sunset feel more powerful if you’ve lost weight?
Are you more competent at work because you fit into standard clothing sizes?
Does your mother’s chili on a cold day taste better if you don’t let yourself eat the cornbread?
Does the feeling of your partner’s hand in yours depend on the size of your
pants?
Do you feel more moved singing along to your favorite songs if your stomach feels empty?
Is it more fun to watch your children slide down waterslides, instead of joining them, because you refuse to take off your swim cover-up and reveal more of your body in a swimsuit?
Was the moment that inspired you to capture a photo feel more meaningful after you’ve edited and curated it for social media? And over 100 followers “liked” it?
Do you think your children’s laughter sounds better if you turn down French fries?
Your value doesn’t change based on your waistline. The meaning in beautiful moments doesn’t change based on our eating habits. The depth of your emotional connection to others doesn’t improve if you lose weight. Memories aren’t more beautiful if you edit yourself in photos to look more “beautiful.”
Not only does the pursuit of ideal beauty standards NOT enhance the richness of your life, it will actually impede your connections to your life.
Will you notice your partner’s touch or your puppy licking your hand if you are compulsively checking how many people have liked and commented on your photos?
Will you hear your children’s laughter and be able to join in if you are feeling anxious about fFrench fries? Will you be able to be present with your closest friend when your stomach is rumbling with hunger from missing breakfast?
Do you create better memories watching your children swim as you sit in on the sidelines, shaking your head “no” to their invitations to join them in the pool? Do you even notice your favorite songs playing on the radio when all you can think about is what you have in your fridge that will meet Keto guidelines?
Will you even stop to witness the sunset when you are busy monitoring how many calories you are burning on that hike?
No.
Here’s the truth.
You are enough, right here, right now, as you are.
Life–in its fullest–is available, right here, right now, as you are.
Life is indeed found and lived, right here, right now, as you are, right now.