I woke up this morning feeling kind of blah. I got on the computer and started working on a new playlist for my Sunday yoga church class. I was feeling a more chill and relaxed playlist and that came together nicely.
The message was another story. I was at a loss for words. My heart was full but I didn’t know how to share what was weighing on it. I told myself I would take a pass and just not have a message this morning…I can’t tell you the last time I went into my Sunday class without a message.
And then five minutes before I had to leave to teach I picked up Brene Brown’s book The Gifts of Imperfection. Wouldn’t you know that the first page I turned to expressed exactly what I couldn’t find words for.
“The greatest challenge for most of us is believing that we are worthy now, right this minute. Worthiness doesn’t have prerequisites. So many of us have knowingly created/unknowingly allowed/been handed down a long list of worthiness prerequisites:
- I’ll be worthy when I lose 20 pounds.
- I’ll be worthy if I can get pregnant.
- I’ll be worthy if I get/stay sober.
- I’ll be worthy if everyone thinks I’m a good parent.
- I’ll be worthy when I can make a living selling my art.
- I’ll be worthy if I can hold my marriage together.
- I’ll be worthy when I make partner.
- I’ll be worthy when my parents finally approve.
- I’ll be worthy if he calls back and asks me out.
- I’ll be worthy when I can do it all and look like I’m not even trying.
Here’s what’s truly at the heart of wholeheartedness: Worthy now. Not if. Not when. We are worthy of love and belonging now. Right this minute. As is.”
I read this at the beginning and end of my class. And we chanted three oms to close class for 1) worthy now, 2) right this minute, 3) as is. After class I received feedback from some students that made me want to cry (in a beautiful but sad way) because this kind of worthiness is something that we all struggle with in our own way.
And here is the playlist to go along.
Notable..
– “Talk” by Kodaline – amazing new band discovery
– “Unsteady” by X Ambassadors…love
– “Simple and Sweet” by Jon Bellion – he’s offering a download of his new album FREE
– “All I Want” by Ellie Goulding – a cover of my favorite song of 2014 by one of my favorite artists
Sending all of you worthiness, love and wishes for a good week.
Such a good message today!
I’m really glad you like Kodaline…I am Irish so I have known about them for quite a while! I love their music.
Something I totally needed to here! Great post.
Beautiful. Love this.
Great post. This is such an important message for everyone. Have a wonderful Monday 🙂
Everything I needed to hear. Thank you so much for sharing.
I love Brene Brown! I haven’t read The Gifts of Imperfection but earlier this year I read Daring Greatly and I highly recommend it. Thanks for a great blog, Jen. I’m a regular reader and I always enjoy reading about your workouts and meals. Happy Monday!
LOVE this message! Good start to this week 🙂
Gifts of imperfection and the four agreements are on my side table ALWAYS! I go to bed every(almost) night and read a passage so I know that regardless of the day I know not to take anything personal and that I’m enough. Great playlist, thank you.
i do not have the four agreements. thank you, will check it out.
Jen, I needed to hear this today. Six months ago, I was laid off from a job I loved and had been with for six years. I have been freelancing but am struggling to find my identity and full-time work. I have been reminding myself that I’m lucky to be healthy, to live in the gorgeous NC mountains outside Asheville and to have a husband and three cats that love me. What’s kept me going is, honestly, my Ashtanga practice.
I am worthy now. Right this minute. As is.
Committing to memory and repeating as needed.
Thanks, as usual, for your honesty and candor.
stepfanie – i’m so sorry to hear about your layoff. it is tough to find your identity when you lose something you love like that. you are worthy. and you will keep giving back in all the right ways and the right things will come back to you.
Thank you for this. It was especially needed today, as I found out about the suicide of a student at my university. The fifth within a year; our community is reeling. I shared the quote and others appeared to need to hear this message of self-love just as much as I did.
Thank you for your continued realness and insight.
oh grace, i’m so sorry to hear that. incredibly sad.
Wish I could have been there. I am now listening to How Long Will I Love You. What a beautiful song. Thank you for sharing.
love love love that song
I’ve listened to it at least 20x so far…several of those in a row!
linda – YAY! so glad you like it! 🙂
Thank you for such an inspirational class and message! I almost wasn’t able to make it to the class, but it is amazing how things just end up working out. My heart was so full afterward. I teared up in class as I thought of my main reason of not feeling worthy.
Thank you for your guidance.
melissa – i’m so happy that the stars aligned and you could make it to class…and that the message resonated with you. we ALL have things we struggle with in finding true self-love and worthiness. sending you peace! <3
Thanks Jen, I really needed to read this today. Also downloaded the playlist and listening to it to calm down. Really inspired by your career change, as I sit here in corporate America feeling so aimless and trapped in my cubicle. The most worthwhile leaps seem to be the scariest.
Anyways, thank you, I love visiting your blog.
hey mb – thanks so much for the comment. i’m glad that the post resonated with you. have you read firestarter sessions?