I love hearing from blog and book readers, aka "Belly Buddies." You turn out to be men as well as women, new friends in South Africa as well as neighbors here in Asheville, NC.

Here's a sampling of recent encounters ...

Songwriter Chris Jolliffe wrote: "At age 57 I went on a diet for the first time in my life. I made it to the body weight my doctor said was 'ideal' for my height and build. That was elating, but the thing was, I still had my little pot belly. Thoughts of trying to rid myself of it by more dieting or doing sit-ups seemed unkind in some way that I still can't define."

I love this man's words about wordlessness. As I read them, they point to his personal knowing of what is almost unsayable in our culture. There's something about his "little pot belly" that deserves respect, that resists rejection. That deserves to be treated as kindly as one would treat one's self.

On a recent stroll through the neighborhood, I met a young woman with two toddlers in tow. We talked of this and that, and as a way to keep in touch I gave her my email address at loveyourbelly.com. Reaching for the connection, she recalled finding The Woman's Belly Book in a Florida library; it was a timely read for her following childbirth.

A woman I met at a comedy show in downtown Asheville told me she found The Woman's Belly Book at a Massachusetts gift shop following major abdominal surgery. Reading the book helped her through her period of recovery.

A few days ago, I received an email from a woman in Overberg, South Africa. She'd taken another look at Crafts for the Spirit (Lark Books, 2003), which includes my pattern for a Belly Belt. Regarding the loveyourbelly website, she wrote: "I especially appreciate this info for my youngest daughter (as well as myself)."

I feel truly blessed to know the impulse to reclaim our body's center as sacred is reaching to women and men around the world.

Book excerpts

These three designs are available on scoop neck and V-neck t-shirts in women's plus sizes as well as in other styles and sizes. See the selection at these online shops at CafePress.com:

• Love Your Belly
• Body Earth
• Honor Your Belly
  

O Great Mystery	Body Earth • Planet Home
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Invocation