You ARE Worthy: Accepting Kindness

On this tour, I've received the most extraordinary reception. The kindness and generosity from people I meet along the way has been astounding.The other day when in Saskatoon, I went into Dairy Queen for a salad (it was the only thing available within a 2 block radius and it was 9°!), and I started chatting with the manager. I told her why I was in town, and she chimed in with, "I can't make it tonight, but can I give a donation?"The amazing Kelly Duncalfe-Baker (if you're ever in Saskatoon, don't miss any of her amazing classes- this girl is legit!) showed me around the town, let me hang out with her beautiful daughter, Dylan, and set up the amazing Saskatoon event! This woman had no idea who I was prior to a couple months ago, and now I feel like she's family.Breanna Parbst drove me around and is helping organize an event to benefit TWLOHA with her CrossFit community. Jeff and the crew at lululemon athletica Saskatoon gave me a freaking pair of pants! Stephanie Massicotte interviewed me on CTV Morning Live to help get the word out...I am extremely grateful for the love and generosity that I've been receiving while on this tour, but I haven't always been able to accept it. In fact, I still feel pangs of guilt when people are so giving.Though I myself love to help other people, my old self-worth issues crop up and tell me that I'm being a burden on others (even if they're the ones offering). I'm much better now at accepting kindness, but I used to refuse all help because of this feeling.Now that my tour relies on it, I'm getting more practice at saying, "Yes, thank you."And this is not only applies to accepting kindness from others; It's important to be receptive to kindness from yourself as well. For example, what we talked about last week with saying yes to life.Remember to accept that kindness from yourself by saying both yes and no.But how can you rid yourself of that guilt if you have those similar pangs when people try to help you? How can you allow yourself to be helped and maybe actually *gasp* enjoy it?I'm gonna tell you what I do.A little warning: this may be triggering, so please don't do this if you're currently doing in-depth work with a therapist or are easily triggered when thinking of past events in your life.Still here? Let's go for it...

Acknowledge what you're feeling

You can't move past any feeling without first admitting to yourself that it's what you're experiencing. You've heard me say that before.So let's confront those feelings. What exactly, specifically are you feeling? What kind of fear is it?

• unworthiness
• being a burden
• fear of appearing weak

Those are just some common ones, but they can vary just as much as personalities do. Really go deep here and find that thing that bothers you most.

Where's it coming from?

Now that you know what you're experiencing, find out why you're feeling that way. Let's identify exactly what we're up against.I, for one, had a lot of feelings of unworthiness and being a burden growing up, so they've latched on like leeches into my adulthood. I've brushed most of them off but I find an old one every now and then.Those feelings you found in the last section; where are they coming from? What have you been through that makes you feel like this?It's important here to know that you don't need to dwell in these memories. We're not bringing these up to thrust you into the darkness; we're bringing them up to better prepare you for accepting all the light in the world.Know what you're up against now? Ok, let's move on to the fun part...

Challenge it

Your history is just that: history. Leave the past in the past and take this opportunity to move forward.Now that you've acknowledged what you're feeling, and where it comes from, take a deep breath and challenge it.Look at your past and ask if any of that has to do with your life at present. Is any of it still directly affecting you?For instance, if you didn't have a lot of attention as a kid, you may feel unworthy of it now. But you ain't no kid anymore. You've grown into this amazing person who deserves to be noticed. You've become this life-changing force that we want to hear. Let us help you get the word out!You're not weak if you accept help from others. We all need it.In fact, there's strength to be found in accepting kindness and being able to ask for help when you need it. The strongest, most successful people I know aren't afraid to ask for help. Actually, they demand it sometimes.

Accepting kindness from yourself

Ending the negative self-bashing and beginning to allow the showering of kindness to flow from your own thoughts is a paradigm shift for sure. It can change your entire being.Every time those old habits of negating your positives and focusing on negatives try to take over, stop. Remind yourself of the work you've done, that you are worthy of this kindness, and that you are important.It's true. You may not know it or believe it yet, but you deserve love and kindness. Open yourself up to it. Revel in it a little.Wanna hear it from me face-to-face? Here's a video to accompany today's post:

Not enough? Come out and see me on my tour route, why don'tcha?

Events this week:

PHOENIX TONIGHT!lululemon athletica Biltmore2502 Camelback RoadPhoenix, Arizona 850166:00 pmMovement MeetupTrue Food Kitchen2502 East Camelback RoadPhoenix, AZ 850167:30 pmBOULDER 3-28lululemon athletica Boulder1750 29th Street #1046Boulder, CO 803018 amMovement Meetup to follow if there's interest. Contact me if you're coming!DENVER 3-30iLiv Yoga2780 East 6th AvenueDenver, CO 8020612:00 pmMovement Meetup1:00 (same space as bootcamp)MINNEAPOLIS 4-1/4-2lululemon athletica West End1639 West End BlvdMinneapolis Minnesota 55416Monday morning at 6:30 amMovement MeetupBull Run Coffee3346 Lyndale Ave SMinneapolis, MN 554087:00 pmBonus Bootcamp with Lisa Van Ahn!The OM Collective3350 Lyndale Ave SMinneapolis, MN 55408Tuesday morning at 6:00 amClick here to see full details of all cities along The 30x30 Project Tour route.Whether I've already met you, or I'm coming to a city near you, I can't wait to help you get your sweat on for hope.You're worth it, and we're gonna help everyone who's struggling realize they're worth it, too.See you out there!With hope and fire,Amy