On Living a Topless Life

I was recently in Miami on a girlfriends only weekend. I go a couple of times a year and it never disappoints. It provides me with a connection to sisterhood that I have not experienced in my own family of origin and challenges me to continually expand my life. These incredible friends have become family to me and it is a joy to spend time with each of them. I come home feeling energized and full of contentment, celebrating the absolute joy I have every day waking up just being me.

On the first trip nearly two years ago, my friends and I were approaching the beach and noticed several women were topless. My girlfriend told me she didn't think she would ever be able to bare her breasts and I agreed. We settled into our chairs and were having a little conversation when we noticed a tattoo artist drawing henna tattoos on the breasts of the topless sunbathers. In an instant my friend, who had said not ten minutes earlier that she would never be able to take her top off, had not only removed it but was now discussing the design she wanted painted on her breasts with the artist. Wow. The look on her face was priceless. She was in total bliss at her courage. I was in awe. There was a couple getting married on the beach facing the ocean who might not have anticipated partially clad women with tattooed breasts dancing on the sand in their forever after pictures. In her new found liberation from not only her top, my girlfriend suggested a fertility dance around the bride. It was hysterically funny and while I laughed, I still had my top on, feeling like I was on the outside looking in at all of the fun. Why?

I think the thought of going topless on the beach was too radical for me and I knew I would have the feeling of being so completely exposed. Someone would be able to look into my soul just by seeing my breasts. While everyone was having so much fun I was hesitant to join in. I could hide behind my swimsuit keeping all of my secrets, as well as my breasts, covered. And just what did I think I was hiding? Something? Nothing? It was an interesting thought to take out of my head and examine.

Over the last several years learning to love me exactly as I am has had so many twists and unexpected turns. Realizing that I don't really have secrets that are so incredibly shocking or shameful has been liberating. Getting into agreement with my life and the experiences I have had has been priceless. It has enabled me to shoot forward into a life bigger than I would have imagined even five years ago. I can take my top off on the beach because I want to and I like the feeling of freedom it gives me.

Learning to completely step into the light in my life, fearlessly and without shame has been so incredible. Today I stand for the woman that I am, the woman that I have been and the woman I have yet to become. It is a journey and I am so digging the life I live. It is richer, juicier, and more rewarding than I could have dreamed. I no longer live my life on the outside looking in. I live my life from the inside out, joyfully, transparently and confidently. I live my life without tan lines. So the message for today is I love my body more than hiding...

Here's to blowing the top off of your life!
XO,
Karen