All over the world today, many girls still get the idea that their bodies are somehow not as good as a boy's body. These girls - who later grow up to be women with girls of their own - get the message that they are weaker in spirit, not worth educating, somehow cursed because of their menstrual cycle, and so forth.

My body and its condition are a barometer that is always trying to tell me which direction to go for my maximum creativity, health and fulfillment. And, because I'm human, I get off track now and again but I can always get back on.

True health begins with your thoughts. Thinking about comfort, strength, flexibility and youthfulness attracts those qualities into your life and body. Dwelling on illness, fear, disease and pain does just the opposite. Your work is to notice and change your thoughts and move them in the direction of health and happiness.

No matter what you’re feeling, the only way to get a difficult feeling to go away is simply to love yourself for it. If you think you’re stupid, then love yourself for feeling that way. It’s a paradox, but it works. To heal, you must be the first one to shine the light of compassion on any areas within you that you feel are unacceptable.

Shame cannot exist in conditions of light, sunshine, and humor. So the very moment that you share your most shameful moments - and can learn to laugh about them - then the spell is lifted. And you, too, are free.

Your health is not outside of you.

The inability to love and accept yourself and your humanity is at the heart of many illnesses. To be loved and accepted, you must start by loving yourself. If you have traits that you consider unlovable, you must love them anyway... it's a paradox.