Today is I Heart My Body Day, initiated by We Heart Life.
I am mother.
I wear my stretch marks with pride.
My cellulite reminds me of the nourishment I provide.
My loose skin reminds me of the children I have borne.
I am no longer a slender twenty-year-old girl,
I am now round with love.
It is no longer just my body -
I share it
With the man I love
And the children I adore.
My face is stroked by small loving hands.
My breasts provide sustenance.
My hips carried two babies, and rocked them into this world.
When I was nine, I punished myself for my big nose,
My ugly eyes. My hairy legs.
When I was nineteen, I punished myself for the same things
And more.
Now I am twenty-nine, I heart my body.
It is mine, and mine to share.
Mine is a body of love.
For women everywhere, in every corner of the world, love your bodies. They are beautiful. They are necessary. They are loved.
{Linking with We Heart Life for I Heart My Body on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram and With Some Grace for FYBF}
Please join me at the Heart Mama Community on Facebook.
Thank you for your lovely and inspiring post xx
And thank you for a reason for writing it!
That is a gorgeous photo Zanni, so stunning. Lovely poem too.
Thanks Kelly. xx
a great poem
That’s beautiful. I didn’t take part this year…hmmm. I’m not sure I could bring myself to do this. So much ‘stuff’ buried within. Maybe I will get the courage one day x
I hope you do Angela! X
I love that photo, beautiful post
Thank you Anne. X
Gorgeous. You and your words. xxx
Thanks lovely! You too Xxxx
Lovely post great poem. It’s kinda funny how we are all thinking the same thing.
Maybe we are coded to feel like this at some point Salz. X
Wow… Look at you.. You are gorgeous. I love seeing pretty photos because there is so much beauty. And you have so much beauty in every aspect of your self and body. I love this poem. You a gorgeous xoxo
Thanks Tahlia. This celebration of female beauty is very moving. X
Reblogged this on Fly on the wall and commented:
We all need to listen, it’s so true. Beautiful post.
Thanks for the reblog! You are wonderful. X
Found this thru Fly on the Wall, really beautiful.
Hi Janelle, glad you found my little blog. Thanks for coming by.
Absolutely beautiful words and photo xx
Thank you Leigh!
I don’t heart my body. But you encourage me to try!
Oh Joyce! I hope you can! X
Gorgeous Zanni! you brought a little tear to my eye xx
Thank you lovely. I will head over to read yours now. X
Beautiful post, gorgeous pregnant belly!
Thank you Sophie x
Such a beautiful post and a lovely baby belly
We women are amazing!
Totally. xx
Why oh why do we punish ourselves? What is it in our society that makes little girls hate themselves? I am so concerned about how my daughter will perceive herself in a few years, I really hope that she learns from the woman I am now, and not the girl I once was who also hated so many facets of herself. Lovely post heart mama, you are beautiful.
Thank you lovely. Let us set an example for our daughters and show them how one can love one’s body. xx
Absolutely beautiful Zanni! I love this post and I love your blog and I love you!
Thank you! You are so lovely xx
Beautiful, Zanni. Love this photo of you. You look very content and proud of what your body is providing. x
Thank you Lovely Grace. And thanks for hosting. xx
Beautiful x
Beautiful words and wisdom. Are bodies really are marvellous! xx
Thank you Elisa. And yes they are truly marvellous! x
Image is beautiful but what makes it more so is the words that you have written to go with it! Beautiful and thoughtful post that has made me see myself differently xx
That is so sweet of you to say so. xx
What a gorgeous photo!!!
Beautifully said. I need to learn to love mine, too.
P.S. There is nothing quite as beautiful as a mom.