Naked, Naked, Naked...

One of Rn_buffon's posts got me to thinking on a somewhat philosophical level. To open, my hubby and I are fairly free with our bodies. I don't sleep in pajamas (unless I'm sick) and neither does he. When we didn't have the kids, we'd come home, get undressed and walk around in the "altogether" until we had to get dressed the next day. We've also talked about some day living somewhere with huge pane, glass windows that make the scenery your own, personal artwork. For us, this would also mean moving out into the middle of nowhere for reasons that should be pretty apparent. Thin or large, it has really made no difference to me and I'm very comfortable this way. It seems natural.

So, here's the question: What would our world, our very existence as humans be like if the serpent had never entered the garden? (assuming you believe in the Genesis creation)

Well, for one, we wouldn't know we were unclothed...at least, at first. I believe the Creator would have given Adam and Eve access to the tree of knowledge, after he felt they were ready for it. I also think they would have been given the knowledge that they lived in a clothing optional world, but that there was no shame in their bodies and being unclothed is a natural and healthy way to be. I could run off on all sorts of tangents here about our existence as it is today with technology and so forth. Would we have that, would we know what we know now, but I'll save that for another time.

Recently, Kirstie Alley appeared on the Oprah show to show off her newly slimmed body in a two piece bathing suit. I didn't see the show, but I read articles after the fact. She talked about how, as a young adult, she never felt comfortable about her body. She was so self conscious and never satisfied with it. It's the same story with so many other women, including myself. Granted, I've always been cool with being naked and at home by myself, but out and around others? Not that I was naked around others, just overly concerned about my body and its appearance in my clothes. Oh, man. I was always worried about my pooch, or my thighs, or my back (yes, my back dammit).

As I aged and became more comfortable with me, those thoughts sort of waned. I adapted my fashion to the age. I did go to high school in the 90's, after all. Man, I could work a mini dress! By college, although I knew I could look better, I was still pretty happy with where I was. It took Kirstie time (and probably some needed time in rehab) to realize her body wasn't her enemy and to embrace who she was/is. I applaud her for her bravery and for her acceptance of who she is. Jamie Lee Curtis did a sort of "embrace who you are" with her layout in More magazine. She displayed herself as she is, day-to-day and then as she is made up like a movie star. I think it all comes down to this: naked or clothed, we should learn to love ourselves for ourselves.