In my arena of work in Embodiment, there is a line ‘truth’ that floats around above all else… that embodiment is about ‘coming home to the body’.
Yessss… this is so true.
But, what about those whose bodies betray them?
Those who have bodies that feel foreign, violated, violent, numb, disconnected?
Well, yes, embodiment ultimately helps us understand these feelings (or lack of) on a much deeper level, which leads to feeling more at home in the body.
But when this sense of ‘feeling at home’ isn’t accessible, which it simply isn’t to so many people who are often stuck in survival mode (flight/fight/freeze)... what then?
Then, we look for role models.
If someone simply is unable to access safety, comfort, easefulness, relaxation, inspiration, trust, truth within the body, we can look outward for direction.
This is a standard question I ask all my clients & podcast interviewees - who are your role models?
And many times, the clients who are most disconnected to their own bodies, also have not honed in on people in their outer world that they admire & respect.
If we want to admire & respect ourselves, to feel at home within, it helps to start feeling this about others.
And not in a superficial searching way - where you look for the best in everyone you meet (yes this is a fine practice too, but what I’m saying goes much deeper.)
Look for the people, living or dead, that have made waves in the world.
Look for the ones the change-makers that have caused history to move forward in a new and better way.
Look for the people that you almost can’t fathom how they accomplished what they did.
Look for the people whose prose you read, pictures you see, music you hear and it ignites your heart & soul…
Those are the people that have embodied what you long to embody yourself.
Write their names down.
Write the qualities down that you admire most in them.
And notice in what ways they are similar.
Let that guide you. In the moments when you don’t feel at home in your own body, let these people and their qualities you admire guide you back into feeling what ‘being home in your body’ can and will feel like.
If you’ve known me for a while, you may guess some of the qualities of my role models already… but I’ll list mine here to illustrate as an example:
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Marion Woodman
Mary Oliver
Maya Angelou
Alan Watts
Victor Frankl
Carl Jung
Hafiz, Rumi & Lalla
All are spiritually influential, poetic, profoundly insightful, timeless, deeply revere nature, warm-hearted & self-assured. Quietly powerful, thoughtful. They are all writers/speakers & care deeply about the human condition and how to be better. They all perceive the realms between our worlds. They walk to the beat of their own drum. Most (if not all) seem to have allowed their childlike playful spirit to stay alive as well - even amidst surviving the worst that humanity has to offer (cancer, holocaust, rape, torture, homelessness…)
“I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed.” ~ Mary Oliver
And of course, they are human. Each one will have his/her flaws and short-comings. But their accomplishments in beauty, expression & service far outweigh what would make them falter. Their works live and grow beyond their finite bodies and lives.
Let your beauty, expression & service far outweigh what would make you humanly falter.
Let it outlive & outgrow you.
Oh my heart. Simply basking in reflection of what these humans created and what they allowed to guide them breaks my heart open in inspiration, reverence & humility.
So, who are your role models?
I want to know. Tell me below or DM if it feels too vulnerable to share.
****** If you resonate with what I’ve shared here, and you are craving to embody & express yourself more deeply - specifically through writing of any sort - I am holding a month-long workshop in August on Embodied Copywriting.
If you’re looking to express an offer authentically, share your voice resonantly, or put the energy & deep feelings you have into eloquent prose, this workshop is for you.
3 spaces are reserved of 8 maximum. Early enrollment is $1,111 until July 11th.
Read more & Sign up here: https://www.meganhart.coach/workshops