Giving and receiving acceptance

Two weeks ago, I developed some sensitivity in my wrist and thumb joints. So along with my continual toe joint flare up, I am now handling wrist and hand restrictions. So today, when I went to yoga, and the instructor was leading the students in sun salutations, and I was trying to modify the poses, I was overcome with frustration.

It’s just not going to work out today. I quietly put my mat away and left the room. As I was putting on my shoes, the instructor came out. “Are you leaving,” she asked, looking at me puzzled. “I just can’t handle being such a special case all the time. First the toes, now the wrists and hands.” I started to cry a little, and she reached toward me and said, “Yes, you are a special case, but you are worth it.”

She looked at me and asked me not to leave in tears. I was so struck by her words — you are worth it. I wasn’t a problem to her. I thought about how difficult it is to accept myself with new limitations and to persevere. But it takes a caring teacher like Barbara to encourage, accept, and support a student along the way. Since I come from a big family, I never felt there was room to address my specific needs. What a gift she gave me in her words: you are worth it.

Ultimately, people just want to be accepted for who they are and where they are in their lives. This is what most of our seeking. And it’s a true gift to give it to one another, as well as to ourselves. I am worth it. You are worth it. I have a choice to give up on myself or to continue to adapt to the circumstances and conditions I find my body in right now.

Giving and receiving acceptance is such a powerful practice. What a difference it made in my life today!