The Power of Acknowledgment

I’m taking a business class for the next several weeks and last night was given this assignment (estimated to take 5-8 HOURS) to really explore what makes me unique.  I’m to discover what my talents are so that I can articulate what sets me apart from every other coach/consultant out there.

I freaked.

I’ve been here before and refused to do the work.  The “lie” I have told myself is that I’m not good at anything.  There is nothing unique, nothing special, nothing extraordinary about me.  If there were, why did I hear almost daily for 15 years in my job all the things that were wrong with me?

I won’t get into all the reasons I attracted those people and why it was necessary for me to have those experiences.  It happened.  I learned.  And have moved on.

But last night brought up all sorts of fears.  So, I stopped the instructor and asked the group for support.  Basically, I told them, that without some encouragement, I will quit and go home and continue to wallow in my “not enoughness.”

The response was overwhelming.

The support that came from those women, even this morning, brings tears to my eyes.  I literally felt like I was being group hugged and that somehow, each would offer support in a way that felt good to them.  But bottom line, they’d be there.  (BTW–this was the 1st class and these women are complete strangers to me.)

But that’s not even the best part.

I cried and got all choked up as I asked for help.  I put my fears and insecurities on the table.  I was raw and vunerable.

And then one person said, how moved she was by my honesty and vulnerability.  That for her, the key to a successful life was being open, honest and allowing oneself to be vunerable.  It was so important to her to be surrounded by people who were willing to do what I’d done.  She was touched to her core.

Now, I’m sure I don’t have to tell a few of you, that on more than one occasion, my honesty and vunerability sent people running in the other direction.  Those that stayed would tell me how brutal I was or that I was simply too sensitive.  Rarely was I ever applauded for “keepin’ it real.”

But last night, a total stranger, changed all that.  5 amazing women that I have not and may never meet face-to-face,  allowed me the space to be who I am.  And then thanked me for it. 

As I write this now, I realize that I am closer to my dreams than I ever imagined.  I am consistently attracting women into my business and into my life who know and appreciate the power of acknowledging someone for who they ARE.

If not for last night, I may have continued down this path not realizing that I was on the right road after all.

Who can you acknowledge today?

And what can you acknowledge about yourself?

I know you rock.  And I LOVE you for it!