First off I want to say thank you for the overwhelming support of this movement! I never fathomed something I care about and believe in so strongly would actually inspire so many to action. Now, we must keep that first spark flaming and build it even stronger. Stick with me to help continue to make this something beautiful to reach our inner thirst and touch the lives around us in the process.

*******************

Do you remember the little song “my body’s nobody’s body but mine…”? We each have a unique body gifted to us. That gift values more highly than anything else in our possession. Or that we could ever possess. Yet, we tend to see our body as rags instead of riches.

What would do you if you didn’t have your hands to craft words on paper (or screen)? What would you do if you didn’t have arms to embrace a loved one? Legs to run? Eyes to experience the beauty of this world? Picture life without any single part of your body.

[source]

Our bodies bring us so much opportunity and life. We must cherish the bodies we have, with all their quirks, soft spots, or pains. They do not deserve the abuse which we expose them to on a regular basis, both physically and mentally.

Even if they can’t do all the things we hope or look the way we desire, our bodies still require love. If you had someone in your life who supported you in every way imaginable, wouldn’t you want to show that person your appreciation? Our bodies are that entity. Let’s show them a little bit of thanks today and throughout this month of self-love.

[source]

Once a week, we will have a day devoted to sharing three things our bodies do for us and why we love that part of ourselves. We will do this each week so we can genuinely focus on a few things at a time we appreciate about our bodies. Take a few moments to focus deeply on three aspects of your body today and thank them. I’ll go first.

I thank my heart for working hard endless hours of the day and night to pump blood through my body. Without you, heart, I would not be here to play with my daughter, love my husband, and share my message.

I thank my smile for the kindness it shows. You may have a small gap in the front two teeth and you may not be the whitest, but that makes you (and me) unique and beautiful. I thank you, smile, for the ability you have to display my care and happiness.

I thank my “baby place” for carrying my children. I thank you for how you know just what to do. And that you give me 9 months to prepare. 😉

Now, it’s your turn. Reflect on your body’s gifts. Then declare… “I thank my ______” for each. Share at least one in the comment section to inspire others of the truly miraculous gifts of the body.

Quote to Reflect On
We don't stop at our skin.  ~Dolores Krieger

*To be added to the email list and receive links to the posts in the morning, please let me know of your interest in a comment below.

*For more 30 Days Inspiration visit these bloggers who shared the message and let me know if you do so.

• Michelle – Eating Journey
• Mellissa – A Fit and Spicy Life
• Laury – The Fitness Dish
• Heather – Heather’s Dish
• Lauren – Advocate for Selfishness
• Jess – A Fixer Upper
• Lindsey – Run Lindsey Ann, Run!
• Jenn – Live Well Fit Now
• Miranda – Miranda’s Jeans
• Jes – Self Motivation
• Michelle – Chasing Ambulances
• Hillary – Coffee is my Carrot
• Melissa – Live Love and Run
• Gina – Gina Eats Beans
• Ela – Ulterior Harmony
• Chilkoot Chubby
• Jamie – Inspired Mess

The only title that suits this post is “Just WOW!!” I feel like that right now and wonder how I’m going to form words for you to read tonight. You all need to know just how much your comments, posts, tweets, emails, etc, etc, etc today mean to me.

I even leaked some tears quite a few times. No joke or exaggeration. Many happy tears for the joy and confidence I could feel from your posts, but also a few sad tears for things some of you turned to me for. My prayers reside with each one of you in hopes that this brings the positive changes I know it has the power to conceive. I cannot convey my thanks to each of you enough. Now let’s continue this self-love fest tomorrow and for the remainder of September. We need to keep this spark lit in order to see it reach its fullest potential working in our hearts and lives.

I don’t quite know how to segue my way from that awesomeness into my normal day to day living. I have no super witty or fun post today mainly because my mind is still shell-shocked by this morning and seeing something I feel so strongly about accepted so openly. I still have stuff I can share though so here we go.

Boys. They are quite the different species, huh? Love the men in my life dearly, including little man B in my belly, but dear goodness they require some special care.

I watched my 2 nephews for a few hours yesterday and about went insane. Little M plays so calmly and sweetly. Then, her little cousin enlightened her on how to cause a raucous. That may be an understatement. The non stop running back and forth, climbing on tables, screeching as a pretend car, and so much more left me blinking in that 3 year old’s dust. “Ohhhhh boy!!!” ran through my head on repeat.

Keeping with today’s confidence theme– I know I am a good and loving mom, so I will make parenting two work…but it’s going to be different than just hanging with this little face.

On top of that, yesterday M discovered how to climb out of her crib. In the morning she greeted me at 6 am with a “Hi mommy! Awake!” proclamation. She had to tell me just in case the thunk overhead from her jumping out of the crib didn’t give me the hint.

So I guess you could say yesterday was a long one. I ended it nicely though. We made some Almost Meatless Sloppy Joes for dinner. This recipe never fails! So easy and delicious. Thank you Katie for posting it awhile ago!

I also had kale chips for the first time. I really liked them. I think next time I need to cut them into smaller “chips” and bake a bit longer since some parts were a bit chewy instead of crunchy. Overall, I will definitely have them again. I don’t know why I take so long to try things sometimes.

Now I must relax my body from the kick, spin, and Power classes I’ve done this week. Yay for a rest day tomorrow! I need it. `

• What food have you tried that was inspired by bloggers? Did you like It?
• When do you take your rest days? Mine are Thursday and Sunday. I love them!
• If you posted about the 30 Days on your blog or shared it in some way today please let me know with a comment. I meant to keep a running list to post as a thank you but got a bit overwhelmed with everything and lost track. I don’t want to leave anyone out who shared! Thanks.