Self Appreciation

I went to a birthday party last night; a friend who was turning 27 (egad! 27!) threw her own party and then sat there and faced the music as a room full of people, one by one, expressed their appreciation and delight at her existence. It was a pretty amazing thing. The catch phrase of the evening became "now you have to stay.....". Each person moved to the couch to talk to the birthday girl, and as they finished up, she kind of whispered that to each of us. Then the next person sat on the other side of her, and the first person kind of played back-up - holding her hand, catching the love and fondness that might have missed it's mark, and in some ways sharing in the appreciation aimed at the birthday girl.

It was a kind of magical thing, turning a simple "let's say something we like about Jen" into a ritual, with each of us in term giving, and sharing in the receiving, or love. I'm working on self-appreciation myself these days; my therapy homework assignment is to get three friend to tell me three things they like or appreciate about me, and sit there and listen (and not, you know, argue with 'em). Just take it in, feel it. In person only, sorry online friends and fans. It's not something I'm looking forward to; what if nobody can come up with anything?

Lots of friends from yoga, enlightenment intensives, and kirtan were there - I was one of the earlier arrivals and I felt my heart spin up a little as each familiar face came through the door. The food was delicious. Not just one, but two cakes (I only sampled one). Did not get out of there until 11:30, which for me is wicked late. Now I'm kind of foggy this morning; getting myself slowly up to speed for a Power II class this morning.....

Self appreciation, yeah. It was delightful to participate in this party, and a good experience for me to witness and share in for my own journey.