📜 Dear My Sweet Body
It’s Erev Yom Kippur.
And the custom is to ask forgiveness from anyone we’ve wronged.
Because how can we ask Hashem for atonement,
if we haven’t made peace in the places that hold us most?
And you, body…
I realized I owe you an apology.
There have been so many hiccups in our relationship.
So here it is:
I’m sorry.
For the years of abuse.
First with food.
Then with shame.
And then with this never-ending mission to fix, perfect, and change you.
I never truly accepted you as you were.
I never thanked you for what you do for me — every single day.
You keep me alive.
You house my soul.
You protect my organs and the precious parts of me.
You help me move through the world — to walk, to see, to hold, to nourish.
You are a miracle.
And I took you for granted for so long.
Even after you helped me lose the weight (and you were on board for that mission!) —
I still kept trying to sculpt you.
I forgot that you’re not a project.
I forgot we reached our goal… and really, it’s not about the goal, but the process.
You’re a kli — not to fix, but to express the Divine.
So today, I ask you to forgive me.
Because what I really want is partnership.
You’re amazing.
I see the koach in you —
I love watching you teach those girls.
The way you move in the gym — it’s alive. It’s holy.
My hachlata for this year?
To accept you.
So we can finally turn our energy to the real work —
Reshaping the world, not the body.
So… yalla?
Can we do this together?
Forever yours,
Me
🖋️ Journaling Prompt:
Write a letter to your body — or any part of yourself — that you want to ask for forgiveness.
Let it speak back.
You should be sealed for a sweet new year!
Chana Gorenstein
Soulfood Coach
