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  Catherine Hedrich

Body Image

Body Image

11/4/2016

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Yesterday, I did something I thought I would never do.

I had what is considered a cosmetic procedure done at my dermatologist's office. Before you jump to any conclusions, which involve terms such as face lifts and Botox, let me assure you that it was not in that category.

Yet, upon reflection yesterday evening as my body was beginning the healing process, I wondered how removing a bump on the bridge of my nose was any different than the many ways we modify our faces and bodies to fit the diverse worldwide perceptions of the beautiful body.

From tribal tattoos and body piercings to the immobile mannequin faces from extensive plastic surgery, we have physically modified our bodies for thousands of years. Almost ten years ago, I had my first encounter at a Dallas airport with a woman who looked like a much younger version of her adult daughter sitting beside her. You could only guess at her more advanced age when looking at the brown spots and collagen lacking condition of her hands.

At the time, I wondered what would push someone to take such drastic measures to modify the way they looked. A decade later, I think I now have a better and more compassionate understanding of her choices. My own procedure was partly motivated by a practical reason. This bump on the side of my nose, which showed up during the hormonal changes of menopause, was interfering with how my glasses fit comfortably, but I have to also admit to a secondary reason. I was also influenced by how others perceived and commented on the aesthetically non-pleasing effect this natural sign of aging had on those who viewed my face.

Please note that this discomfort was originally not mine, since I did not see  my own face, but with many years of wearing down by others, I finally agreed to the elective laser procedure. With 20/20 hindsight, I now fully know that none of us would voluntarily choose to surgically cut, burn or freeze off any part of our body. Only the way we think others will view us, in other words our ego's internal dialogue, can lead us to make such an attack on our natural immune system, when we are not in a situation of medical emergency. I should also point out that I have had my ears pierced as a young adult, but no tattoos. 

I am not judging those who do these surgeries. I am simply explaining my belief that, based on my recent experience, this action goes against the body's innate desire to protect itself.

In today's western society, where the youthful look is venerated and photo shopped images are the new standard, I shudder at the thought of what our children's children will have to face as they age well into the 21st century.
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    ​As curious as the feline she is named after, Cat uses her blog to invite conversation about the multifaceted human existence we all co-create.

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  • Consulting Services
  • About Cat
  • Cat's Blog
  • Traveling Trilogy
  • Inspired
    • Honouring Their Journey
    • Life is Choice
    • Planetary Detox
    • True Sovereignty
    • The Present of Our Presence
    • Manifeste de la Fête des Mères 2020
    • Mother's Day 2020 Manifesto
    • What is Freedom?
    • Letter to My Heart
    • Accepting Supreme Responsibility
    • Search For Meaning
    • This is Me
    • A Welcoming Community
    • Behind the Headlines
    • Moonwalk
    • God is a Verb
    • Heart to Heart
    • Importance of Play
    • The Heart of Math
    • Peace Pilgrim Revisited
    • Chasing Success
    • Message in a Book
    • Steve Jobs: The Lost Vision
    • Your Hero's Journey
    • Cracked Open Buddha
    • Your Personal Guidance System
    • My Universe
    • Into the Aleph
    • Be the Change
    • Me, Myself and I: Sticky Stuff
    • Paranormal: The New Normal
    • Beauty in Fractals
    • Life is a Mystery School
    • Self-Love and the Butterfly
    • Spirituality and Singularity: To Be or not 2b
    • Multidimensional Travel
  • Experienced
    • When Fighting Windmills, Remember Who You Are
    • Expansion and Contraction
    • Simply Showing Up
    • Back Pain Teaching
    • Body Image
    • Be the Stranger
    • Parent Rehab
    • Life is a Fractal
    • Soul Pilgrim
    • Semi-retirement: The Untold Story
    • Conversation from the Other Side
    • Transforming I to Eye
    • Sharing Your Experience
    • The Book of Life
    • Meeting my Higher Self
    • Living in a Fort
    • Calling all Angels
    • Family Beyond the Veil
    • Becoming the Tree: Oneness
    • Manifesting Maya
    • My NDE
    • Messenger: Student and Teacher
    • Open Channel
  • In Conversation
    • The Importance of Being Human
    • The Day the World Ran out of Toilet Paper
    • Do I want to be happy?
    • Go With The Flow
    • What Does Freedom Mean To You?
    • Identity Less is more
    • Rethinking Astronomy
    • Dream Your World
    • Clueless
    • Living with Cortana
    • Techno Future
    • Love, CERN and Burning Man
    • Sing Your Song
    • What if...
    • Electric Fractal Communication
    • The Disappearance of Privacy
    • Beyond The Story of "I"
    • My Latte Meditation
    • Phone Calls From Heaven
    • The Great Debate: Fate vs. Free Will
    • Everything is Spiritual
    • Collect Experiences not Debt
    • Observing Territorial Control
    • The 3rd Way
    • Memories, Emotions and our Well Being
    • Out of Time
    • The Man Who Walks
    • STOP: The Gift of Time
    • Drink to Your Health Naturally
    • Francis's Awakening in his Own Words
  • Contact
  • Reviews