Imagine if this isn't my own body, and it truly isn't

Ever thought about what it would be like to live in someone else’s body for a year? I stumbled across a social media post yesterday that posed this exact question: "Imagine you swapped bodies with your loved one and had to give it back in a year. What would you do?" Instantly, I knew I'd keep it as healthy as possible. Seeing my beloved one sick is the last thing I'd ever want. I'd feed it well, exercise regularly, and care for it like my grandma nurtures her garden.

As I kept scrolling (procrastination at its finest, I should get back to work),  I found another post that struck a chord. Someone shared, "My therapist always refers to me in the third person, and it helps SO MUCH to forgive, love, and care for myself like I do for my loved ones." Wow, that hit home. Not just in terms of physical health, but mentally too.

I tend to blame myself for every little failure. If I could see myself as another person, I wouldn't be so harsh. I mean, I always try to defend my team members even when I'm frustrated with them. Why can't I extend that same kindness to myself?

Then it struck me. My faith teaches that I don't truly own my body; it’s a gift from God. I have a responsibility to take care of it, and one day I'll be held accountable. On Judgment Day, I'll have to answer for how I treated this gift. Am I giving each part of my body the care it deserves? Am I using it for the right purposes?

It took me 22 years to come to this realization. Of course, I can't expect to wake up tomorrow completely transformed and mindful. Habits formed over two decades aren't broken overnight. Breaking them indeed is no small feat. But at least now, I've seen the light. It's time to take baby steps towards change, isn't it?