Ways we interrupt our worth
A poem and note about pausing to see the mirrors reflecting our strength
HER WORTH
He looks at her adoringly,
caught in all her grace.
She looks down on her ability
to keep in the rat-race.
He wishes for a moment
she could see inside
her power and her beauty
which instead, she will hide.
She hides it from herself
unable to believe
in all she is capable of,
all she has achieved.
Then, when he says a sweet, soft word
she thanks but follows it
with doubts and fears, and he is quiet
not to interrupt.
He doesn’t want to say she’s wrong,
disagree or sound abrupt.
So, despite seeing all her light,
he chooses to omit
but she wishes he would disagree
and push her strength on her,
but with the constant interruptions,
he feels he should concur.
~
I wrote this poem a few years ago. It is inspired by myself and my husband. I have this habit of interrupting and talking down any compliments. Soon I realised in all his grace he wasn’t going to argue with me. So if I interrupted, he would pause himself to let me speak. In that moment, as I brought myself down from the compliment I also knew I was silencing not just him but a strength I owed myself to accept.
It has been challenging to open myself to the highlights of my strengths, but I owe it to myself to do so. Here I am at that time in my life when I had these realisations.
I invite you on my challenge to own fully the next positive highlight you receive. To smile, and instead reach for thanks for the time someone has taken to highlight you.
You are worth highlighting.
Smile with me at all you are—amazingly whole-hearted and perfectly human in the process (a journey we each share). We are going through a journey full of trials and triumphs with such inner wisdom and strength of heart.
May this beautiful Australian Wattle I photographed last spring, inspire your self highlighting. xx
P.S. Did you see the little beetle?
P.P.S. I took the first photo in Thailand and imagine your strength like these lotus flowers, ready to bloom.
If we trust our loved ones, why don't we believe them when they acknowledge our strengths? Allowing the compliment to land not only helps us, but we honor the one who shared it.
Easier said than done. I've noticed lately that I've reverted to an old tendency to brush off any kindness. I'm trying to suss out what is under that behavior, while at the same time just practicing saying "thank you," and not arguing the point. I can examine the discomfort later when I'm alone.
I love this. It really spoke to me. 💜