As a child my father said “Your navel is your life line, take care of it.” Huh? Ok, so I went with it, unlike children today, what my parents said was law, short of God coming down himself! In my innocence, I paid special attention to the crevices of my lifeline. Oh please, don’t pretend its gross either; you know you pick the lint out of yours from time to time… LOL. As I grew older I learned what he meant by that, the umbilical cord, it is truly the lifeline and the navel aka the belly button marks the separation, yet retains the invisible connection.
Funny how we discard the importance and the art of that center point in our bellies, yes I’m over the top with this keep reading there is a reason. Now as I am on my “configuration management expedition” I am looking at every facet of my body. Part of the expedition is to appreciate every imperfection that defines who I am. This is a challenge for me, and many others, because I don’t usually do mirrors commando, but to overcome you must face the reality of what is. It means embracing and accepting that it tells a story, not just one of over indulgence but emotional journeys that encompass both pleasure and pain. It’s accepting that pain led to growth which in-turn fueled more pleasure somewhere in your path. So I started thinking about all the things that we do not see when we may have more ‘fluff’ in one area or another. Some people can’t see their feet because their boobs or stomach are infringing on the view. We can work around that by looking in the mirror. I won’t go into our private parts, if you know me there is usually no holds barred but I will control myself. Yet I will say for women we are always told to check our lady parts with a mirror as part of knowing ‘our bodies ourselves’ (remember that book?). Men don’t need a mirror, initially, because they are just out there, but they are subjected to belly infringement lol. Ok, pumping my brakes here, because ya’ know me!
As your body changes you know what you need a mirror to see, but you never (or I never) considered the possibility of needing a mirror to see my belly button. I just ignored my center point, my lifeline, how could I!! My ”innie” did nothing to hurt me, it is a reminder of the nurturing my mother provided in the womb and I totally forgot about it, until… until my ‘configuration management expedition’ began to take form. Are you with me so far, did you figure out where I’m going with this yet? Well, as I am reviewing the changes taking place in my body I discovered I can see the inside of my belly button… no mirror necessary! Too much information, well too bad, cause you’re still reading… It dawned on me that I couldn’t remember the last time I saw it and it was so pretty lol… the mark of my life line… my center point… Every person has their own break thru point some are defined, some just appear… mine just appeared… the belly button.
There is still work to be done and I may not walk away like the Jennifer Hudson’s, Janet Jackson’s of the world and that’s all good. They have resources I don’t have like a personal trainer, and free time to exercise their day away. What I do have is me and the incremental discoveries that inspire me and amuse me at the same time. So when you don’t have to use a mirror or sit down to see your feet or can view any part of your body free and clear even that long second toe, enjoy it and embrace it… it’s a sign of success on your “configuration management expedition.”
© Soulmuze 2012
Soulful Storytellers LLC 