our mammal is our temple ✨

(photo credit: Margaret Hallinan | image description: Adeline + I. Thank you, beloved body, for growing, birthing and nursing our beautiful babies.)

When I first began my healing journey with my body, I was introduced to a book called “Pleasurable Weight Loss” by Jenna la Flemme.*

In the book, Jenna introduces the idea of looking at your body like the animal/mammal she is — a living, breathing creature.

“I had regarded my body as a possession, something I owned and could use (or abuse) as I pleased. I was now beginning to understand that my body is not a possession but rather my mind’s partner—a living, breathing, feeling, and wise female animal that belongs to life itself. The blame I’d projected onto my body for years flashed before my eyes. Now, I was rapidly becoming aware that my body was not the culprit. I realized that my body is smarter than I had been willing to consider. There were the times I had tripped but caught myself before hitting the ground, or the times when I’d had a cut and the wound healed. It wasn’t my mind that was in charge then—it was my body! Once I recognized how brilliant my body is, my anger and resentment toward her began to melt away. For the very first time, instead of focusing on complaints about my body’s appearance, I began to bask in wonder and awe at all she does for me.”

from the book: Pleasurable Weight Loss by Jena la Flamme

For me, this changed everything.

I had always treated my body like it was this ugly, fat, frustrating, gross, awkward thing that I had to “deal with” for the rest of my life.

But, when I started to look at her through this new lens — I started to offer her grace, compassion and respect.

She isn’t embarrassing.

She is divine.

She isn’t something to be fixed.

She is something to be honored.

In fact, she isn’t a some“thing” at all.

She is a female mammal “that belongs to life itself.”

She is my temple.

My sacred temple.

And, what’s even more amazing?

This mammal loves me unconditionally.

So much so that she does nothing all day and night but keep me alive…

🫀 heart beating
🫁 lungs breathing
🩸blood pumping
🚽 system digesting/detoxifying
🧠 brain firing and wiring

…all so that my soul can be here on this planet having this Earthly experience with all of you.

That’s how much she loves me.

Woah.

and i said to my body. softly. ‘i want to be your friend.’ it took a long breath. and replied ‘i have been waiting my whole life for this.’

(from the poem: “Three” by Nayyirah Waheed)

My dear reader, what would it look like for you if you began to view your body as the loving mammal she/he/they are?

For today, will you try on this approach?

I’d love to hear how it goes.

Love, love, love,
Danielle

*At this point in my life, I would never read a book with the words “weight loss” in the title. I’m super grateful that 30-year-old Danielle did, though🤍