We are trained by Hollywood to think bodies should be a certain way. At the Getty Museum in LA, there is a magazine cover with Brittany Spears showing how she looked when the picture was taken. Written in black ink all around her sprawled out body are numerous comments that lay out what needed to be airbrushed before publication. It looks like the pen exploded on the page. Everything is marked–from highlights in her hair down the entire length of her body.

Why this emphasis on changing an already beautiful girl to some preconceived idea of perfection? Simply put, we buy the magazines. The media, in turn, thinks that’s what we want. Models get thinner because more people buy. It reflects the mass idea of what is attractive. Mannequins follow. And pretty soon, we have skinny Minnie Mouse and mannequins with super thin bodies and no faces. We can blame the media, the corporations, the Man, but they are just responding to their bottom line: what drives profit.

It’s a vicious cycle not to be solved in this blog entry. But there is an action item here for you.

LOVE EVERY SINGLE PART OF YOUR BODY.

That means your hammer toes, your too-small boobs, your too-big boobs, your too saggy butt, your teeth, your hair, etc. Your body works hard for you. It gets you from A to B. It lets you play, and move, and create. It deserves your respect and love. Give it love, not criticism.

Sometimes it’s easier to remember this when it breaks down. For example, if for some reason you can’t use your right hand suddenly you remember how much you depend on your right hand. You tell yourself you’ll never take it for granted again if it just gets better.

But when everything’s working, just like with our cars, we forget how truly miraculous we are. So let me remind you. You are unique. You are beautiful. Give yourself some Valentine’s Day love and treat that body like the beautiful body it is.

“Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care.” Buddha