Today I had a little epiphany.

I used to think of my body like it was a mannequin. I was mostly focused on the outside; what it showed to the world. People would decide who I was simply by seeing my external shell. I too, would judge myself on the “mannequin-me” I would see in the mirror.

We each have a mannequin version of ourselves.

* We clean our mannequin.
* Make up our mannequin face
* dress our mannequin
* work it out
* put food into it
* pour financial resources into maintaining it
* perhaps medicate it
* peek at in mirrors

And we regularly judge our mannequin on its look, weight and wear-and-tear. If by chance we don’t like the weight of our mannequin or how it is aging or showing itself to the world we will be unrelenting in reminding ourselves of our mannequin’s flaws. Oh yes, and we love to compare our mannequin to others.

We are not our mannequins  

Our mannequins are just the vehicles our spirits use while here. When you hear the fabulous things that people go on to do when they create a fabulous mannequin through Body-for-Life, it is not just because their mannequin looks good now. No, I think the reasons are apart from their new physical results, but spurred on by them. I think that people go on to write books, become trainers, speakers, launch new businesses, attract fabulous relationships, excel at work and enjoy a more satisfying life at home because their results go beyond their mannequin to transformation.

• When you get your mannequin in order, it frees up energy that used to go toward self beat up, so it can go towards something more positive. (Like when you wake up in the AM and you no longer feel pain walking to the bathroom, seeing the # on the scale or freaking b/c you have nothing to wear that fits.)
• Getting in shape provides you with confidence and a boost in self-esteem so that you KNOW you can do anything else you decide to commit to. You raise your own bar.
• You have more energy because your mannequin or “vehicle” is being properly maintained (ie. no sand in the gas tank).

So love your mannequin, love it’s parts and appreciate that it is the vehicle of your spirit. But give it its right place. It is not who you are, it is just a tool for you to use while you are here. Misuse it and you may be a here less time then you would have otherwise (smoking, unhealthy habits and addictions). But nurture it, not because of vanity, but because your spirit deserves the very best vehicle you can provide it.

We will all leave our mannequins behind one day—like those that used to be in the storefront windows… being packed away in a storage room at Macy’s. We won’t need these mannequins forever, so focus on what is lasting while honoring your physical selves appropriately. Love and care for your mannequin–but remember it is not your true essence.

All the best,

Rena M. Reese

Founder, Soul Salon International

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Rena M. Reese is the founder of Soul Salon International, an inspirational multimedia company which offers books, cds, coaching and consulting, web-design, publishing support, and fundraising opportunities for individuals and groups.  She is the author of several inspirational titles, a professional speaker and coach as well as the host of a weekly radio program, The Soul Salon. Please visit www.SoulSalonInternational.com and connect with her on Twitter @TheSoulSalon.