A look in the mirror to make sure I am presentable before class in the morning sometimes reveals a scary sight. My hair, still wet from my shower the night before, seems to have created its own sculptured nest; dark circles outline my red, bloodshot eyes and show the few hours of sleep I had, and my skin has broken out from stressful days.

My back and shoulders hurt from the frozen computer stance or reading position I held for hours the night before, and my whole body aches from yesterday's 4-mile run. I tidy myself up a bit, grab a cup of coffee with no substantial breakfast and head out the door. Sound familiar?

In the midst of it all, the Center for Health Education & Promotion, Student Health Service and the Counseling Center are telling us to "Love our bodies." This week is Love Your Body Week on campus, and well, it occurred to me that I don't know much about loving my body. In fact, for the most part, I abuse it. So, I did some research and found some advice and wise words on the matter.

"Our own physical body possesses a wisdom which we who inhabit the body lack. We give it orders which make no sense." (American novelist Henry Miller)

How many of us have given some of the following orders to our bodies:

"Tonight, you will compete in a case race," "You will pull an all-nighter in preparation for tomorrow's exam," "You will eat pizza and ice cream.after midnight," or "You will smoke a cigarette."

True, a few of these orders may make some sense, but I'm with Henry here – we often give orders that are not loving to our bodies. Our bodies are ultimately smarter than these decisions, and we all know our bodies don't respond well when we give it orders that don't make sense.

"Few of us have lost our minds, but most of us have long ago lost our bodies." (American author Ken Wilbur)

I'm not exactly sure what Ken is saying. My body's right here, how could I lose it? I suppose he's saying that if we don't take care of our bodies, their value decreases.

"The body never lies." (Dancer and choreographer Martha Graham)

But don't we all wish it did? Particularly when we eat everything and anything unhealthy and highly caloric. I certainly feel like I'm loving my body when I eat pounds of chocolate, but a stomachache and extra pounds don't lie.

"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." (American author Jim Rohn)

Plain and simple. A reminder we could all use as young students. Though we may feel invincible now, the physical pains incurred from our youth will eventually catch up with us. Loving our bodies now may mean loving ourselves for doing so later.

"An active mind cannot exist in an inactive body." (Gen. George S. Patton) and "To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." (Buddha)

Similar insight from Buddha and a general, with a message especially applicable to us students. Showing love to the mind and body goes hand in hand.

"The human body has two ends on it: one to create with and one to sit on. Sometimes people get their ends reversed. When this happens, they need a kick in the seat of the pants." (President Theodore Roosevelt)

I agree, but a kick in the seat of my pants would not be "loving my body," now would it?

I know that Love Your Body Week is largely focused on improving body image, dealing with eating disorders and understanding that "Beauty comes from within" – all beneficial things to remember. But I'm interested in the daily treatment of our bodies, and remembering the sacred and unique value our bodies bring us. Often, we take it for granted, and for that we deserve a kick in the seat of the pants.