Loving Yourself Right Now
23 Jun 2009 ~ Categories: blog • body • mind • wellness
Most of us – if we were lucky – were raised with this empowering message at heart: “You can be anything you want.” I heard this myself growing up, and now as part of the wellness community for my work and pleasure, I go on periodic retreats that teach this concept through a gamut of methods. Though the words my be different, the mission is about the possibility of transformation and the framework often includes yoga/movement, meditation, self-expression and prayer.
In the yoga world especially, there’s a lot of talk about being “on the path”. In other words, heading in the direction of being in a “better way” with yourself and your world. Plodding ever closer to enlightenment and freedom where there is no suffering for body, mind or spirit. Sounds like a worthy cause, right?
I do believe that it’s important to teach kids, and adults alike, that our potential is limitless and that we should dream big. This is an empowering, democratic attitude. And it’s the language of hope and of the visionary and the believer that is available in all of us.
But there’s definitely room for more than one philosophy. It’s not a one size fits all thingy. Try this one on for size: accept yourself just the way you are. That’s quite a slippery spiritual endeavor actually and could take a lifetime or ten to master. And it’s as good a pathway into transformation as any.
Pick a door, any door. The key is to pick one. And open it. Pandora might jump out, but then again she probably looks freakier than she really is. It’s a Wizard of Oz sort of situation, more smoke and mirrors than reality, more of a mirage than material. Fear always looks bigger than it is.
So why not love ourselves as is? I see a lot of friends working their hearts out to achieve career success, the perfect weight, a balanced social life, and some degree of spiritual peace. And of course, I am not immune to the ambition trap myself. In fact, I am a self-proclaimed seeker with a background in consumerism.
But I like to take a step back and tell myself, in the dorky and insightful words of Mark Darcy of Bridget Jones’ Diary fame, “Amy, I like you just the way you are.” And, yes, I did just quote a chic-flick.
Anyway, it has a nice ring to it. Who has ever heard enough of that in their life? Try it on yourself. Or try something more creative and paint yourself a love-mandala, like this one shown above. I don’t care if it sounds silly. Let’s get beyond that for a minute. Do something, anything, out of the ordinary that’s about loving who you are in this moment.
While I’m at it, let me remind you of another message we hear a lot in the “spiritual-sector”. It’s the simple and liberating message of being present, living in the here and now. Being present and loving yourself go hand in hand. Allowing what is true now to be as it is, honors it and, in a way, loves it just the way it is. And oh what a relief it is.
What are you waiting for? Be your own bridge to your better side.
Love yourself now,
Amy
