The season of giving….and receiving
Photo by Lathika Vithanage
“Your heart and my heart are very, very old friends.” - Hafiz
This is a beautiful reminder for me that this time of year is not just about giving, but much like a dear friendship, it is also about receiving.
During my time studying the Alexander technique I uncovered a fact within my body, that energy flows in both directions. My limbs, all the way down to my finger tips and toes, flow down from my spine and out of my torso, but what I was less connected to before my study was that their energy, and beyond, is also flowing back into my torso and spine, sustaining and nourishing my uprightness and existence in this world.
This Christmas time I am very much touched by the understanding that I have reached a 'mid-life'. We have three generations at the table tonight and I am smack bang in the middle. Until now my life has been mainly about receiving, but now it has very obviously shifted towards giving more. Also in my professional life, until now it was more about gathering experiences, but now I naturally find myself moving into teaching and sharing roles.
Most of my life I have been plagued with ideas around societal hierarchy. I have often perceived relationships, particularly with people of authority, who have titles, who are older than me or more experienced, as unidirectional. So what would that mean? As I have gained more experience in life, am I now the one that others must respect and adhere to at all costs?
For me, the answer is no. Being exposed to the Alexander technique over the last five years has brought with it a certain humility. In every moment I have as much possibility to touch presence as the person next to me. Every moment is another chance. For all of us. My children and my children's grandparents, on opposite ends of the spectrum, demonstrate this to me regularly.
So, in the new year, this quote is a north star for me. It's an invitation, as I continue to tap into the depths of this work, to approach the people I share with, young or old, experienced or less experienced, with the fundamental understanding that our hearts are very, very old friends.
It's easy to get caught up in the theory of the Alexander technique, but at it's core, through this work, I have the possibility to interact with the essence of another person, which is a true privilege. Giving a lesson is just as much about receiving. And for this I am very grateful.
Journaling prompts: Do you feel more comfortable giving or receiving in your life? In which areas of your life do you find yourself giving more? In which areas of your life do you find yourself receiving more? What would happen if you were to see those around you as equals?
