Your Baby Stories
Have you ever thought about what the connections are between your first few years and what stage of life you are currently in?
Many times we have heard stories about what we were like when we were babies..... did we walk early or late, when and how we started to talk, what were our first words and nick names we had and may still have, etc. These stories, however, have a deeper connection to the way we show up in the world, later in life than we tend be aware of.
Let's start with something as basic as your name:
There was a client I had many years ago who was obese. Everyone in the clinic new her as big "Wendy" (not her real name). Her weight had taken its toll on her health and the doctors had advised her to loose weight as it had become life threatening. Big Wendy was perceived as having a very strong presence in the clinic and known for being a great advocate for patient's rights during meetings. She took great pride in her role and reputation. During some of our sessions, we explored her history. She had actually been born premature and was very small at birth. By the time she had become a teenager, she had become very overweight and had "earned" the name, Big Wendy. During these reflections, Wendy began to realize that she had equated weight with strength and power. If she were to loose the weight, she would no longer be "Big" Wendy, just plain "Wendy." She then began to realize how vulnerable that made her feel, as though she had regressed back to that helpless premature baby that could barely survive. Part of her challenge in her healing was to be able to internalize a sense of empowerment separate from her physical appearance.
Looking back on your baby stories, in what ways do they show up in YOUR life now? Visit www.MutsMer.com for more information.
Many times we have heard stories about what we were like when we were babies..... did we walk early or late, when and how we started to talk, what were our first words and nick names we had and may still have, etc. These stories, however, have a deeper connection to the way we show up in the world, later in life than we tend be aware of.
Let's start with something as basic as your name:
- What inspired your family to choose the name you were given at birth?
- Was it after someone in your family? A movie star? A religious name?
- Did you have a nickname? Did you ever outgrow it, or did it stick with you?
- Look at aspects of your personality and see what similarities you have between your names and how you present yourself to the world. (Some people even emphasize the connection with pride, be it positive or negative).
There was a client I had many years ago who was obese. Everyone in the clinic new her as big "Wendy" (not her real name). Her weight had taken its toll on her health and the doctors had advised her to loose weight as it had become life threatening. Big Wendy was perceived as having a very strong presence in the clinic and known for being a great advocate for patient's rights during meetings. She took great pride in her role and reputation. During some of our sessions, we explored her history. She had actually been born premature and was very small at birth. By the time she had become a teenager, she had become very overweight and had "earned" the name, Big Wendy. During these reflections, Wendy began to realize that she had equated weight with strength and power. If she were to loose the weight, she would no longer be "Big" Wendy, just plain "Wendy." She then began to realize how vulnerable that made her feel, as though she had regressed back to that helpless premature baby that could barely survive. Part of her challenge in her healing was to be able to internalize a sense of empowerment separate from her physical appearance.
Looking back on your baby stories, in what ways do they show up in YOUR life now? Visit www.MutsMer.com for more information.
Posted by MutsMer.com at 11/17/2009 3:37 PM 
Categories: Baby Stories, Nutrition, Health, Exercise
Tags: stories reflections premature walk movie star clinic positive healing family negative overwelight physical babies religious weight teenager empowerment client nick names
Categories: Baby Stories, Nutrition, Health, Exercise
Tags: stories reflections premature walk movie star clinic positive healing family negative overwelight physical babies religious weight teenager empowerment client nick names
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