Hello ,
Do you recognize yourself in this?
Someone tells you something they appreciate about you, and you downplay it: “It’s nothing, really.” You instantly respond with a compliment in return, or get so uncomfortable that you find a way to change the subject.
Not long ago, I had real trouble allowing goodness in.
I could hear words of appreciation, but not feel them, not let them sink in, not truly sense them.
A good friend taught me a trick I still use today:
“Imagine your heart like two palms, open, connected together at the thumbs, like two wings of a bird. Keep the palms open, imagine them at the level of your heart, and practice receiving compliments and goodness while keeping the palms open.”
She then led me through an exercise where everyone around me offered me words of appreciation. I was sweating, shaking, and feeling deeply uncomfortable. I wasn’t allowed to respond, deflect, or negate, and instead had to keep imagining my heart, the two palms, open… and receive.
It’s been a journey. It still is.
On my birthday recently, I had another chance to practice.
Receiving so much love and affection from my family, and from dear friends near and far. Every message, card, and spoken word was both a blessing to receive and a beautiful challenge to let sink into my heart, into the two open palms.
Thank you for being part of my beautiful challenge. Thank you for your support over the years, and thank you for reading these messages.
Now see how this shows up in your life.
If you have trouble receiving compliments, affection, or care, try imagining your heart as two palms and keep them open as you receive. If it gets hard, keep breathing. And when it gets too much, take a little break, and try again later. ♥️
With endless gratitude,
Roxana ♥️
Lead Guide for Mindfulness & Authentic Communication
Guiding High-Achievers Through Transformative Personal Development Journeys
PS. A few photos from my birthday, sharing some joy with you.
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