Kimberly O'Connor

I’ve been going through old files looking for a scrap of writing I did awhile back. I found this, and thought I’d share! This amused me.

Body: An Owner’s Manual 

Congratulations! You’ve received a body to accompany your soul in this lifetime. We hope this manual will help you make the most out of your body experience. 

Exchange Policy

Please note that there are no refunds or exchanges. You must accept what you get. You may find that other body-owners also find it difficult to accept your body due to its size, shade, abilities, etc. This is unfortunate and we express our sincerest regrets; however, our return policy has no exceptions. 

Modifications

Although you will find that it is possible to adjust the body you have received in minor or major ways, we recommend keeping modifications small and impermanent.

Getting Started 

Of course, it is not vital that you read this manual to operate your body, but we think this information will enhance your experience, now that you have found it.

Your body may have been in someone else’s care for quite some time. It may have experienced wear and tear (trauma, tragedy, abuse, injury) before you became fully independent. This is not uncommon (again, our deepest regrets) and we hope your discovery of this manual assists your liberation.

General Care

Your body needs constant attention. Although it can and will operate  in a variety of unideal conditions, optimal use requires that you move it regularly, feed it when it’s hungry, and allow it to rest as needed. Details are as follows:

Movement

Bodies generally enjoy movement. Let your body walk, jog, run, dance, climb, jump, twist, roll, etc as often as you can. Some bodies are more naturally adept at or inclined to certain types of movement, so you must experiment to see what your body best responds to. 

Warning! Do not force your body to move in a way it does not enjoy. Doing so may cause injury and harm.

Fuel

Bodies require fuel in the form of food. Feeding your body can be simple; in most cases, however, it is not. For example, your body may crave more food than is necessary, or food that does not benefit its overall health and well-being. Or your body may reject food despite its undeniable need for fuel. In general, try to feed your body fresh, healthy, tasty food when it is hungry. Avoid allowing it to regularly consume excessive amounts of unhealthy food or to exist on too little food. We wish you good luck on this quest.

Be sure to hydrate your body regularly.

Rest

Your body needs regular rest. Let your body sleep at night. If your body won’t sleep, you may also need to consult our companion manual, “The Mind: A User’s Guide.”

Ideally, you will also place your body in a reclined position for at least half an hour and up to two hours each afternoon, depending on its level of exhaustion. 

Illness

From time to time your body will experience illness. This is an unfortunate reality (please again accept our regrets). During illness, rest your body and feed it foods that it finds comforting. Keep it hydrated. For some conditions, you may need to seek expert care outside the scope of this manual. 

Pain

Your body will hurt. Sometimes the pain will have a direct and nameable cause; at other times its pain will be a mystery.  Potential remedies for pain are again too many to list in this manual, but a few include medications, heat, movement, and rest. Coping with pain can also be further explored in our companion manual “The Mind: A User’s Guide.”

Impermanence 

No matter how well you care for your body, eventually it will give out. (Let us once again, one last time, offer our most sincere regrets.) As this process occurs, we recommend modifying care as needed but being sure to maintain movement as much as possible, and increasing rest. 

Gratitude

In closing, we hope that this manual has offered you some beneficial instruction on enjoying a long and healthy experience with your body. We last recommend taking time each day to thank your body for all it does for you. In truth, without it, you would not exist.