Think Pink: Good Posture

Some people have good posture. Others don't. Some people sit and stand straight up respectfully while others slouch. Is this due to do one's genetic make-up or manners? In some cases it has something to do with their genetic make-up, but in most it's a lack of manners.

When people display good posture they're displaying good manners, which is always important. It shows they have self-control of their body and also of their minds. They show that they are being mindful of the way they're displaying manners and the others may view them.

"Some of us are naturally serene, but the rest of us can cultivate the quiet self-control of those whom we admire. Tenseness, self-conscious awkwardness, nervous mannerisms, and the tendency to lean on something for support, to play with something, or to move about constantly - all of these results are of an uneasy mind."

What does the way you walk or sit reveal about you? I will tell you that it says a lot. Does it show that you're confident in your activities, alert, and have a positive attitude or perhaps that you're unhappy, self-conscious, or lazy? Rest assured that even before you begin your formal talk that people have already seen the way you present yourself and perhaps have made their judgment about you.

It is alright to not worry about what other people think of you, but when it comes to manners I think you must be very mindful of that. It's not a matter of being something someone else wants you to be. It's a matter of propriety.

PROPRI'ETY, n. [L. proprietas, from proprius.]

2. Fitness; suitableness; appropriateness; consonance with established principles, rules or customs; justness; accuracy. Propriety of conduct, in a moral sense, consists in its conformity to the moral law; propriety of behavior, consists in conformity to the established rules of decorum; propriety in language, is correctness in the use of words and phrases, according to established usage, which constitutes the rule of speaking and writing.

3. Proper state.

The time is now to begin to train yourself, while you're young, so when you're a woman you don't have to retrain yourself and people won't view you anything but a respectful, well-mannered person.

Correct Position When Sitting:

1. Keep yourself at ease, sit back straight, feeling the support of the back of the chair along the length of your spine. It should not be at your neck as you slouch down with legs sprawling before you.

2. Let your hands rest easily on the arm of your chair or folded in your lap. Keeping your hands in this position, relaxed, will help you to be relaxed. Folding your arms will cramp your posture or tire you and cause you to slouch, even unknowingly.

3. As ladies, you never cross one leg over the other, though you are welcome to cross your feet in front of you. If you're wearing a skirt, as a lady should, you may be exposed by crossing over your legs. The proper way to cross one's lady is to tuck one leg under the other to the side. You may also rest one foot on the bar of the chair beneath you.

4. When you're going to stand up from a sitting position, place one foot slightly forward and stand.

Correct Position When Walking

1. When walking don't drag your feet. Lift them instead.

2. Walking at a steady pace, instead of walking all jerkily. "There is poetry in motion as there is in words."

3. Don't walk on your heels. Not only does it make you walk heavily, but you will be able to walk with great flexibility and bounce. Instead of walking on your heels walk on the balls of your feet.

4. Breathe normally and arithmetically. Don't breathe raspy or grasp for breath. Some people only breath from the top of their lungs, instead of from the diaphragm.

5. Keep your head and chin up. Don't look down when you walk. "Keep your eyes off your feet" is a good quote to remember when you're walking.

Correct Position When Standing:

1. Make sure both legs are straight and one isn't bent so you're tilted.

2. Let your hands hang loosely at your sides or clasped them in the font. Don't play with anything, behind you, because this draws your attention away.

3. Take deep, long breaths. Don't breathe raspy or grasp for breath. Some people only breath from the top of their lungs, instead of from the diaphragm.

4. Don't walk on your heels. Not only does it make you walk heavily, but you will be able to walk with great flexibility and bounce. Instead of walking on your heels walk on the balls of your feet.

5. Face who you're talking to squarely, keep your head up. Instead of throwing your shoulders back, lift your chest.

6. Keep your head and chin up. Alot of people read and talk with their head titled down, which is not only rude, but it causes you to sound muffled. When your head is up you're able to talk directly to those in your company.

All of the above rules will improve your manners and posture greatly. I hope you will be able to learn and practice some, if not, all of them.

Have you ever rally thought about your posture? Do you slouch or sit up? Do you cross your legs in an un-ladylike manner?

How is your posture in the spiritual realm? You are a temple of the Lord and a living sacrifice. Are you slouching or standing up straight in your walk with the Lord?

Romans 12:1
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

1 Corinthians 6:19
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

Lady In Training,