The below is a response to BlogHer‘s call for a ‘Letter to my Body‘:
Dear Ms. Bodymind,
This letter of appreciation is long overdue. We have been put through the wringer, and emerged triumphant. Mazel tov!
We sure have been confused with our new surroundings in India. We can’t blame ourselves, because we grew up in a very different place than this one where we are now. We can’t blame the invisible germs either, because actually they’re not fully at fault for all our illnesses. We blame blame itself, and stress.
But we have seen time and again your wonderful abilities to adapt. We are evolving as we write. And fighting the good fight against all potential threats.
We are pretty amused by this advertisement we’ve just seen: “She who possesses an enlightened digestive system will be blessed with stronger immunity and happiness.” It pretty much speaks directly to us, since we’ve been plagued with digestive problems time and again, but blessed to be discovering the art of maintaining health. This includes trying out alternative methods of treatment. We’ve really come to see that the easiest answer to sickness is not always popping a pill made by the mighty Big Pharma. Actually, cultivating wellness is the proper response, and we’ve done that by taking really good care of ourselves, treating ourselves like the enlightened goddess we are. We’ve learned to slow down, to listen to our gut. We trust our intuition.
We’ve also had to be adventurous with foods which we had practically sworn off–like butter–or never even heard of before. In India and ayurveda, ghee (clarified butter) is basically food from the gods and you’ve had to shed our cultural baggage and imagine the thought that perhaps it can help us. It’s taken us a while to stop resisting all the different foods here, because of our fear of the new, and to embrace new ways of cooking, eating, thinking and being. Now we eat amla (Indian gooseberry) instead of relying on Vitamin C pills, and eat more yogurt instead of avoiding dairy. Good bacteria are our friends now!
Here, everyone thinks we’re “weak” because we’re so skinny, especially compared to all those rotund housewives. We were thin to begin with, but we have maybe lost some weight from all the illnesses. Yet, we know that inside we’re very strong. And we know that, in the west at least, skinny can be good 
Being particularly attuned to gender dynamics, we have really struggled being independent here in this country where women are usually not given such a chance. It has been especially difficult for us to feel comfortable being in public on our own, what with all the stares. Even when we cover up, and wear more traditional clothing which bares little. In the west, us women are always urged by the latest fashions to accentuate our best features, though here we are supposed to hide them. Sometimes we are afraid of all the cultural expectations of being a (married) woman here, but we have certainly become less judgmental and more respectful and humble.
After all, we do not have all the answers, yet. But we’re on our way, and thanks again for for the journey. For now, let’s just continue doing our best at being healthy and happy, learning and loving.
Best wishes,
Us
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