Authenticity

I love group work in my profession as a therapist (currently have four different groups going). It is beautiful when they begin sharing, helping one other, recognizing they are not alone in their journey, making sure everyone is getting a chance to talk, and it is amazing!  Tonight our group that we are just starting: Finding Hope, for women experiencing depression/anxiety will begin. I am super excited to be a part of this group with Shannon . They are going to learn so much from her, from each other and from themselves. They will begin to care about each other in a way that is amazing.

In one of the groups last week, one of the women told me - we love you - you are so real! (ah, sweet) We were sharing embarrassing moments of the week and, of course, I had a few to share! It wasn't even the one of wearing two watches one day - yes one right next to the other or flirting with the wrong guy at the video store -- oh my, I thought he was my Steve.  There is a time and place to share personal dynamics in my profession - when it helps to build cohesion with a group or someone can gain and not done for my own personal benefit.   

In yoga today Corena talked about Authenticity. She says, while we are in down dog -- Can you be okay with who you are ... can you celebrate yourself for being perfectly imperfect? Being our Authentic Self -- genuine, true to ourself, sincere, honest are some of the words that popped into my head as we were in 'down dog' hearing her words.  It is an amazing journey that continues on, doesn't it.
Yoga was about heating up our body today and being authentic about the process... not worrying about the 'correct' position of a pose but rather moving through it, closing our eyes and listening to our heart and body. That created energy and Cricket sensed it. As I went into cobra and opened my heart with gratitude to all in my life, Cricket was right there in front of me leaning forward ready to lick my face (being careful to not leave 'her mat'). I found myself pausing for a minute taking in her love and mouthing to her I love you. It felt so authentic.  Corena invited us to say a word of how we felt outloud at that moment - (it validates and gives a voice to our feelings) -- I spoke contentment and realized that indeed I felt authentically content in that moment.