Spit-up On My Shoulder

Yesterday I read The Good Body by Eve Ensler, who is also the author of The Vagina Monologues. I recommend The Good Body to every American woman. It’s about Ms. Ensler’s lifelong struggle to come to peace with her body, particularly her stomach which she calls her “flabby badness.” With all the pressure in our society to achieve the “perfect body”, and the self-hatred that causes in women, I think everyone can relate to Ensler’s story.

The book combines humor, real stories of the drastic measures women have taken to change their physical appearance, and inspiring wisdom from women who love their bodies.

The book is short (92 pages) and I read it in less than two hours. Perfect for a busy mom.

My favorite part was Ensler’s interview with Leah, a seventy-four-year old African Masai woman:

Eve: Leah, do you like your body?

Leah: Do I like my body? Do I like my body? My body. My body. I love my body. God made this body. God gave me this body. My body. My body. Oh goodness, I love my body. My fingers, look at my fingers. I love my fingernails, little crescent moons. My hands, my hands, the way they flutter in the air and fall, they lead right up to my arms-so strong-they carry things along-I love my arms-and my legs, my legs are long, so long. Masai people, we are tall, I get there fast, my legs can wrap around a man and hold him there. My breasts . . . My breasts, well look at them, they’re mine, my breasts still round and full and fine.

Eve: Leah, wait. I don’t know how to do this. I want to feel like you. I want to love my body and stop hating my stomach.

Leah: What’s wrong with it?

Eve: It’s round. It used to be flat.

Leah: It’s your stomach. It’s meant to be seen. Eve, look at that tree. Do you see that tree? Now look at that tree. (Points to another tree) Do you like that tree? Do you hate that tree ’cause it doesn’t look like that tree? Do you say that tree isn’t pretty ’cause it doesn’t look like that tree? We’re all trees. You’re a tree. I’m a tree. You’ve got to love you body, Eve. You’ve got to love your tree. Love your tree.

Melanie again: I found Leah’s words very powerful. There are so many important things to do, why are we wasting time worrying about whether our stomachs are pooching out?

Our culture has really lost its way with regards to body image. We must fight these unrealistic images for ourselves, for our daughters, for all women. But, can we do it? Can we really learn to love our bodies, no matter what shape they are in? I’m working on it!

Love your tree, love your body, love your life.