To shed off layers of disillusions and hurtful conditioning takes some time and practice.
Yet the most important step on the way to liberation from all that doesn't serve us is the moment of realization.
Realization, that what we so deeply felt to be our own beliefs were actually beliefs and values of others.
Years later, sometimes too many years later, we come to that realization.
One day the image in the mirror might give us a fright and we sit back and look back at our life.
Life that was maybe too stressful, yet we didn't take the time to notice it neither acknowledge just how much our own body suffers under the stress.
If we were able to face the responsibility for our life, things would be different.
Our fear of responsibility, sometimes masked under 'I don't have a choice, I have to do this', takes a great toll on our body and life.
Life that is too precious to live in survival mode.
The key to living in a happy body and with a happy mind is to learn to spot the first glimpse of aging in the mirror.
By this, I don't mean to stare at your skin every five minutes with worrying looks.
What I mean by that is the development of a permanent connection between your body and mind.
The bridge that will keep your mind in check, making sure that it is not running too fast for your body to keep up.
Such a bridge can be built with some simple techniques.
Here are a few easy to do examples for your consideration.
1.
Every time you shower, take a few moments to be consciously present in your body.
Feel fully what is happening with all your senses.
What does it feel like exactly to have the water run down your back? How does it feel when you put your right hand under the shower as opposed to the left one? Rather than thinking about the feeling, just feel it.
2.
Get a Loofah or a sponge and slowly rub every part of your skin.
Start at the very base, bottom of your feet.
With conscious circling movements, cover the whole body.
3.
Another technique is to spend few minutes every day in front of the mirror.
This can be done either morning or in the evening before you go to bed.
Make sure you are undisturbed and look into the face in the mirror.
Bring your thoughts to the present moment, observing the face with conscious present mind.
Put yourself into a role of a scientist, doctor or an alien if you wish.
Your task is to just look at this face (and even the whole body if you like) as if you have never seen it before.
Your job is to conduct an objective observation of the face.
Without judgment such as young or old, as if you are looking at a lovely baby face.
Check every part of the face, one by one and be aware of the evolution of growth.
Acknowledge that this face is a different face than when you were 10 years of age.
With that in mind, be aware of the differences that are taking place every day.
You may choose to do this technique once a week if you prefer, to see just how much has changed over the week.
Remember, that the point of this technique is not to fall into depression over the aging process, but rather seeing all the little changes as they are taking place, keeping the mind closely connected to the processes happening in the body.
The effect of these techniques is that the more aware and present the mind is as the inevitable growth of the body is happening, the easier it is for 'us' as the whole human beings to live with this process.
The more familiar we are with changes, the better we can learn to understand them and respect their purpose.