The Power of Acknowledgment
Acknowledge – “to admit or accept that something exists, is true, or is real.”
I want to acknowledge myself for taking such good care of myself. Wow - I really have. I have done such a great job noticing when I’m stressed or when my needs aren’t being met, and then being flexible, making changes, giving myself new choices, and creating my experiences. I’ve taken time off when I’ve needed it. I’ve been thoughtful about arranging my schedule, and I’ve gotten out of my comfort zone and taken healthy risks. I’ve been thoughtful about the foods I’m eating, trying lots of new foods, taking vitamins, and eliminated a few foods that seemed to disagree with me. I’m stretching twice a week for nearly an hour each time, I’m taking violin lessons, I’m creating art four days each week, and I’m taking naps on weekends! I am so pleased with how well I’ve been taking care of myself.
Acknowledgment is pretty powerful stuff. Think about how great you feel when you are acknowledged by your peers, co-workers, boss, instructors, partner, parents, community, and other folks you love and respect. It feels pretty amazing when someone can see our truth.
Often we tend to shy away from acknowledgments. “Aw, it was nothing.” “No problem, it’s my job.” Yet acknowledgments are a divine gift, and when we shy away from them we are not only telling the giver we don’t accept their gift, but we are not allowing ourselves to receive the gift. We are telling ourselves we don’t deserve it!
Remember a time when you acknowledged someone for something they did or who they were being. What was their reaction? If they did not accept your acknowledgment, what messages did you receive from that persons response? If they soaked up your acknowledgment what message did you receive from that persons response?
Remember a time when you refused an acknowledgment. What was that about for you? What would it have felt like to accept that acknowledgment, to embrace it?
When I refuse acknowledgment, I am not in a place of receiving. I’m likely in a place of lack and not feeling very positive about myself or my contributions. If pressed, I will argue against the acknowledgment and even put myself down to prove the acknowledgment wrong. When I am in this space, I am doing a great disservice to myself and to the person acknowledging me. I am telling them to keep their gift, I don’t want it. And I’m telling myself I don’t deserve to feel good. Ouch!
When I am open to receiving and I am acknowledged, you will see me open up like a sunflower in the sun. My body relaxes, my ears perk up, my posture improves, a smile takes over my face. My brilliance is being nourished and I grow, I feel safe. When I feel safe and valued, I take healthy risks more often, I learn better, and I notice how awesome everyone else is, too!
There are really only two bits of etiquette about acknowledgments.
*When acknowledging others, only speak to what is magnificent while being authentic and genuine. Only say something positive, and only say it if you truly believe it. Authentic positive acknowledgment is powerful stuff that really nourishes the recipient.
*When receiving acknowledgment, take a deep breath in and really let it sink in – let it just soak right into every cell and nourish you. Give yourself permission to really feel it, and really let that smile take over your entire face. Beam. You are amazing!
Make it a practice to acknowledge yourself, too. Acknowledgment from others is powerful, and acknowledgment from yourself is absolutely divine. Not only acknowledge yourself for things you Do, also acknowledge yourself for who you were Being while you did those things (what qualities were present). Yes you completed that project – AND you were totally creative, diligent, and full of integrity while you did it! Acknowledge yourself for trying something new or taking a risk, even if it didn’t work out. In fact, see how many things you can find to acknowledge yourself for in just one day, and how you feel by the end of the day! You can not acknowledge yourself too much – honest.
By the way, you’re magnificent!
I want to acknowledge myself for taking such good care of myself. Wow - I really have. I have done such a great job noticing when I’m stressed or when my needs aren’t being met, and then being flexible, making changes, giving myself new choices, and creating my experiences. I’ve taken time off when I’ve needed it. I’ve been thoughtful about arranging my schedule, and I’ve gotten out of my comfort zone and taken healthy risks. I’ve been thoughtful about the foods I’m eating, trying lots of new foods, taking vitamins, and eliminated a few foods that seemed to disagree with me. I’m stretching twice a week for nearly an hour each time, I’m taking violin lessons, I’m creating art four days each week, and I’m taking naps on weekends! I am so pleased with how well I’ve been taking care of myself.
Acknowledgment is pretty powerful stuff. Think about how great you feel when you are acknowledged by your peers, co-workers, boss, instructors, partner, parents, community, and other folks you love and respect. It feels pretty amazing when someone can see our truth.
Often we tend to shy away from acknowledgments. “Aw, it was nothing.” “No problem, it’s my job.” Yet acknowledgments are a divine gift, and when we shy away from them we are not only telling the giver we don’t accept their gift, but we are not allowing ourselves to receive the gift. We are telling ourselves we don’t deserve it!
Remember a time when you acknowledged someone for something they did or who they were being. What was their reaction? If they did not accept your acknowledgment, what messages did you receive from that persons response? If they soaked up your acknowledgment what message did you receive from that persons response?
Remember a time when you refused an acknowledgment. What was that about for you? What would it have felt like to accept that acknowledgment, to embrace it?
When I refuse acknowledgment, I am not in a place of receiving. I’m likely in a place of lack and not feeling very positive about myself or my contributions. If pressed, I will argue against the acknowledgment and even put myself down to prove the acknowledgment wrong. When I am in this space, I am doing a great disservice to myself and to the person acknowledging me. I am telling them to keep their gift, I don’t want it. And I’m telling myself I don’t deserve to feel good. Ouch!
When I am open to receiving and I am acknowledged, you will see me open up like a sunflower in the sun. My body relaxes, my ears perk up, my posture improves, a smile takes over my face. My brilliance is being nourished and I grow, I feel safe. When I feel safe and valued, I take healthy risks more often, I learn better, and I notice how awesome everyone else is, too!
There are really only two bits of etiquette about acknowledgments.
*When acknowledging others, only speak to what is magnificent while being authentic and genuine. Only say something positive, and only say it if you truly believe it. Authentic positive acknowledgment is powerful stuff that really nourishes the recipient.
*When receiving acknowledgment, take a deep breath in and really let it sink in – let it just soak right into every cell and nourish you. Give yourself permission to really feel it, and really let that smile take over your entire face. Beam. You are amazing!
Make it a practice to acknowledge yourself, too. Acknowledgment from others is powerful, and acknowledgment from yourself is absolutely divine. Not only acknowledge yourself for things you Do, also acknowledge yourself for who you were Being while you did those things (what qualities were present). Yes you completed that project – AND you were totally creative, diligent, and full of integrity while you did it! Acknowledge yourself for trying something new or taking a risk, even if it didn’t work out. In fact, see how many things you can find to acknowledge yourself for in just one day, and how you feel by the end of the day! You can not acknowledge yourself too much – honest.
By the way, you’re magnificent!
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posted by Amy L. Burns at
12:25 PM
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