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Success philosophies are mind centered. Focused application of the mind produces tremendous power. To the right hand of the mind is spirit, to the left body. Thus, sprit and body are connected together thru the mind. Linking mind to spirit is faith. Recent re-emergence of ‘The Secret’ into our popular culture demonstrates this mind-spirit connection. In all of this attention, the link between body and mind is overlooked. The link known as PRIDE.
In the absence of a strong foundation in Pride, thoughts present negativity towards the body with associated unhappiness. Maybe part of instinctual Darwin nature, physical differences between us causes our mind to scrutinize the body. Marketing in Western culture surely manipulates this fact by providing images and pressure on both women and men of all sexualities to look a certain way. “The GLBTQ community is as guilt as the heterocentric community at large in promoting and selling the body ideal when it comes to mass media and bars,” explains Dr. Daniel Munoz a clinical psychologist at Pacific University to id Magazine. Dr. Munoz also sees “specialty nights” targeting different body types perpetuating the idea of such individuals being anomalies in society. As a result, our differences become flaws.
Fears of such “flaws” spiral into the concept of being un-loveable. Personal attempts to create resolution in such concepts sometimes manifest in extreme forms of mind-body disassociation: eating disorders; physical mutilation; excessive exercise routines; drug abuse; and seeking HIV infection for the body wasting/weight loss affects associated with the disease. Scenarios like these are not only scary but medically dangerous.
Celebration of Pride is integral part of our culture. This mind-body link needs to be nurtured on a daily basis, not one time a year as summer approaches. Excuses for not having the availability of time to foster positive self-image stems from creating other priorities to fill each day. In an instant assess world, desiring the cliché of stepping right off a magazine cover seems ideal instead of spending the copious amounts of time and effort thought to achieve such results. Actually, two and half hours of moderate exercise each week with a sensible diet is needed for good health and a prolonged life. “It really is the small changes that count,” suggests Daniel Munoz, “Think of what you can do now to improve your health.” More important, results from even the smallest of efforts do make one feel better.
Building a stronger self image through physical fitness need not be an individual effort. Team sports are founded on the basis of fostering comradeship for the improvement of our skills in the game. Many of these ideas are applicable to the game of life. As teammates applaud the progress of abilities of others, feel free to compliment what your find beautiful and wonderful about your fellow man/woman in your life, and even person on the street. Sure, such unexpected compliments towards one another are astonishing to hear. Recipients might be reluctant to receive such praise, but as the antidote “practice makes perfect” goes repeat if necessary. When you see the hint of a smile, you know you have tapped into and helped build that Pride link in them. Building Pride is what our community is all about.
“There’s an undervaluing of physical fitness and an overvaluing of absolute appearance…in our culture,” states Dr. Molly Poag of New York’s Lennox Hill Hospital in a recent AP-iVillage news report. Queer culture has created historical moments when paradigms of absolute appearance have been shattered. June 28, 1969 men stereotyped as weak for being homosexual stood up against New York City police harassment in the event we commemorate as the Stonewall Riots. It took strength of mind and body of all shapes and sizes to stand up against a dominating presence. May today’s generation learn similarly confidence in ourselves–mind, body, and spirit–will still generate monumental success. Learn to love your body incorporating what health and fitness techniques work best for you. As you love yourself notice how the world loves you in return. For none of us are un-loveable.
Next Posting (June 25th): Partnership Health