Our topic of the month for February is strength. Now, I don't know about you, but when I think of the word strength, on its own, I think of physical strength. But when pluralized, the word automatically includes all kinds of strengths. And that makes me excited. Because although my physical strength is waning over time, I can (and do!) keep getting better at developing new and different strengths.
Just today, I was on a webinar with author Sebene Selassie (You Belong), who was talking about the importance of rest not only for the sake of being able to replenish for more action in the world, but for the sake of rest itself. For the sake of reverence for beauty. For the sake of play. For the sake of connection. She said that even social justice activists can get caught into the capitalist notion of needing to produce - to be productive for the sake of the cause, in order to feel worthy. I can see that, and it spoke to me deeply.
It felt like Sebene gave the group more permission to pursue resting as a strength. Not as a means to another end, but a strength in and of itself. When I shift my perspective like this, I really can relate to my ability to rest as a strength.
Not to say that every aspect of our lives is a strength - that would be disingenuous. But I'm a firm believer that most of us can give ourselves a lot more credit than what we do. Some of us are creative, some of us good at gardening, some of us know how things work! We don't have to be the best artist or gardener or engineer to own our strengths. We just need to acknowledge - hey, this is something that I do well, or this is a way that I am. It's something I was born with, or it's something I've nurtured in myself. And I'm owning it. I love that.
And I love holding myself up as a good relaxer! :)
Are there things in your life that you want to identify with more? Any attributes you can just take a moment and give yourself a pat on the back about? Because when you do so, your brain releases dopamine, a "feel-good" chemical that helps relieve stress. And your brain wires around it. With each celebration of who you are, you become more of that. So, hip-hip-horray for you! We're cheering for you all the way.
Love,
EB, Rachel, Leigh & the whole team at Unfold
Check out our schedule here to see which classes celebrate your strengths this week!