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This post is a part of the Season of Gratitude Series. You can participate by writing a gratitude post and telling me about it. For more details, click here.

I started exercising again in September when I started the Life Transformation Program. It’s only been 2 months, but it changed how I relate to my body.

During the second part of my walk, I talk to every system in my body. Sometimes I go from the top to the bottom, sometimes from the bottom to the top, other times I start at the heart and radiate out.

During the conversation, I ask how that part of my body is doing, what I can do to help it do better, and I thank it for the great job that it is doing. A typical conversation might go like this:

Mind: So, to the heart and circulatory system, how are you guys doing today?

Heart: Excellent, I’m energized. I just love this exercising idea.

Mind: Is the blood circulating okay, getting enough oxygen out to the rest of the body?

Heart: Yes, we’re doing great. Flowing freely.

Mind: Anything I can do to help you out?

Heart: I love moving. You can move more. I just get so excited. And can you do something about the sludge. Less fat will be great. More fiber, so we’re really clean.

Mind: I’ll work on that. I want to thank you for doing such a great job getting oxygen around the body and keeping the engine going. You are loved.

I do this with every system. It takes about 10 minutes. It has helped me to appreciate how instrumental every part of my body is to my life.

See, I’m a very intellectual person, not very active. For many years, my body was just the container for my brain and Spirit. I never really appreciated it. It didn’t make sense because I can’t live in this plane without it. My body is how I show up in the world. It’s an important part of the package, and an important part of my purpose.

Today, and every day I honor my body with kind words, a listening ear, and a thankful Spirit. More than that I honor my body with what it wants and needs to thrive: movement, nourishing food, and rest.

How will you give thanks for your body today?