19 April 2016

Knowing Your Worth !

Came across this interesting story recently...

A professor started his lecture take a $20 note from his back pocket and he asked, 
" How many of you would like this note?"

Hands started going up. 

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you - but first, let me do this."

He proceeded to crumple the $20 note up. He then asked. "Who still wants it?" 

Still the hands were up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "what if I do this?" He dropped it on the
ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?"

Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. 

No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. 
It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. 


We feel as though we are worthless; but no matter what happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. 

We either get devalued by our own insecurities & self-doubts or by the opinions of others.
 
But none of these are necessary.
None of these is going to propel us to move forward.

During our usual meeting after class, my teacher pointed " If you truly know what you are doing, that you are good, you don't have to be in the mercy of others.'

I remember the days when teaching yoga in corporate sectors was challenging for me. I was heavily judged:

- Too young ( i started at 23) CHECKED
- Too little experience CHECKED
- Too expensive CHECKED
- Unacceptable outfit ( slippers) CHECKED
- Bosses & Top management too important CHECKED

Noted.

There was one interesting incident that taught me well.

A yoga-related lunch-time workshop for a company.

The lady who liaised with passed down all judgements * from the above list * at one shot over a brief meeting.

" They are all our top management and bosses. Very important people. Please don't screw up."
" Please wear something that cover the feet, its not very appropriate to have slippers in this building." 

She noted.
 I smiled.

" Will you be joining the class too?" I asked.
" Oh~ no, no."

The following day, i appeared in the class in my usual slippers.
Smiling my way through some rolled-eyes.

The class started with all well dressed-up ladies & gentlemen.

And ended with shoes & socks off, ties off, unbuttoned collars, rolled up sleeves, watches off,  loosen belts, relaxed shoulders and lots of laughter.

The bosses were happy, i was happy & the lady was happy.

So i thought, how was the worrisome before even necessary?

Thankful to that particular day, ( that i would never forget) that i received a great lesson for myself..

People can pass judgements easily on us, that doesn't matter much at all.
More importantly is, what kind judgement are we passing upon ourselves?