There’s a beam of light radiating from someone’s eyes.
Coming straight for you.
They’re lit up, grinning ear to ear.
“Thank you,” they say, filled-up with it, overflowing with it,
shimmering with it.
“Thank you” you say, “I’ve learned a lot fromMarie Forleo, Danielle LaPorte,
Martha Beck, my first yoga teacher, my life coach, my friend Emma, my dog Shnitzel…”
Or something along those lines. “They’re so great.”
Back up a second. You’re great.
You. Just you.
Nothing anyone else can teach you will get you that kind of thanks.
Nothing anyone else can share with you will get you that kind of gratitude.
And nothing you gain from anyone else will get you that kind of shine.
And isn’t that the fear?
That if we shine too brightly,
and it’s recognized, we’ll be singled out from the crowd.
We might stand alone up there, be asked for advice up there,
seen to be different and maybe even questioned up there.
So we deflect thanks, and give it instead.
In the process we deflect our self. Our true self.
Our true self hears us deflect a compliment or a thank you,
sighs and curls back up in her little ball.
And the next time we want to step out of our comfort zone
Do something we dream of or long for
Our strongest ally, the source of all our power
…is sleeping.
Just say “You’re welcome.”
Accept the recognition of your own talents
strengths, skills, and attributes.
Accept the recognition of the shine of your soul.
Our true self hears us accept a compliment or a thank you,
and grows taller, stronger, and gains power.
And the next time we want to step out of our comfort zone
Do something we dream of or long for
Our strongest ally, the source of all our power
…is already three steps ahead, pulling us along.
Just say “Thank you.”
You deserve it.
Big love,
L
using gratitude as deflection. do you do this? | Lindsey Lewis
