Loving This Version of You

Thanks to my Peloton, I’m finding my way to love. 

Not love of the romantic kind.

The love that says, “I’m good with me as I am right now” kind.

This is not because my body is in better shape. Still a ways to go with that.

Not because I am disciplined, hopping on the bike at 6 am every day. Still a ways to go with that.

It’s because of restorative yoga. 

One night recently, I had no energy for a cycling class. So, instead, I took a yoga class. And I was surrounded by blocks, blankets, and a bolster like a child might surround themselves with stuffed animals.

Restorative yoga is about passively holding longer stretches. It’s super peaceful and opening because you bolster yourself up with props. And through this practice, you can truly land on your yoga mat and sink into yourself.

Imagine if we could prop ourselves up in daily life like this—to be able to put a block under this weak spot or a bolster under that low point—just to get through the day.

In this particular class, the instructor Kirra Michael reminded me about the concept of Metta: To cultivate a limitless heart. Metta is one of the Four Divine States of Buddhism—the meditative practice of cultivating loving-kindness toward all beings.

And all beings includes ourselves.

What if you loved this version of you that's right here right now?

Settle right now into this one that's on your mat.

It’s fascinating that we are usually more compassionate, forgiving, and open hearted toward others than we are toward ourselves. Yet Kirra reminded us, “Love this one. Love the you that is here right now.”

As she said this, I was groaning because of the tightness in my left IT band and aching in my right elbow.

But this practice of Metta is about loving this one that comes with all of our injuries and all of our health, too. This version that is on the mat right now, showing up maybe heavier than you want to be, more wound up and stressed than you want to be, or perhaps less flexible than you want to be. 

The wish of Metta is happiness for everyone—including ourselves. 

Buddha said, “with Metta for the entire cosmos, cultivate a limitless heart.”

A limitless heart has no bounds.

A limitless heart can free us from our aging bodies.

It can free us from our shrunken selves that might be a little cranky, or edgy, or judgmental. That self that focuses on what we don’t have or who we are not.

I know this version of me can be a pretty harsh critic. I notice my stomach has gotten flabbier. I see the wrinkles around my eyes and the same pouch under my chin that my mother used to have.

But how might I love this part of me, even with her frailties, inadequacies, and injuries?

And how might you love this version of you just a little bit more too?

As a coach, I live in the land of betterment. Of unlimited human potential. Of always striving to grow and change and evolve.

I try to be a good role model of living into that potential.

But I love this concept of Metta, too. 

This idea that reminds me to love this girl, too. This girl that’s right here, right now. The girl that is just as I am. With no other changes, additions, or subtractions.

This is about loving ourselves just as we are.

And by the way, I love this version of you, too.

Have a comment? Please share on social media or contact Kellie here.