Because I am...

It is important to see how recognizing your "because I am", can be used to make you stronger and help others see that in themselves. myself when I was so angry at my body for betraying me. When I teach positive affirmations, I often take photos of people in a yoga pose with the positive affirmation they have chosen. In 2017, at the West of the Moon Creative Retreat in New Harmony, Indiana, I again did a workshop on positive affirmations and had each participant choose one for themselves to “own” for the year. What happened at the end of the retreat that year was different.

Terry Price, one of the founders of this retreat, passed out a piece of paper and had everyone write on it - because I am… He then asked us to fill in the rest of the sentence. You could write as little or as much as you wanted. He gathered up the papers and put them in order. As he read them, one after another, our thoughts had become a poem. I had forgotten about this little exercise until we had a Zoom social gathering with our West of the Moon retreaters last week. At the close of the gathering, Terry reread the poem we created together. It was beautiful.

I couldn’t get the thought of this poem out of my mind so at the end of my virtual yoga class last week, I asked my yogis to do the same thing. I told them the story of how it happened. They are all familiar with my affirmation talks. I asked them to think about the phrase, Because I am, and if they wanted to, fill in the sentence and text or email it to me. This is what we created.

Because I am…

Because I am perceptive, I can help others find their way.

Because I am beautiful, I am still every age that I have been, I am authentic.

My feelings come out in my face and show who I am inside in ways that words cannot express. My wrinkles and graying hair reflect the path’s I have taken, they form the map of my life.

Because I am broken, I am learning to heal by putting the pieces back together.

Because I am a mother, I am the best version of myself…more faithful, more positive, more courageous, more confident, more understanding, and best of all more loving.

Because I am genuine, I care too much about other people, about taking care of them above myself. During this time of quarantine, I’ve learned that, “I am JUST as important as them. My stresses, my relaxation, my priorities, are just as important as the others I’ve habitually given everything to in m prior life. Now, because I am genuine, my focus on others will remain unchanged, but I will continue to be as genuine to ME as I’ve failed to be in the past. I like the new genuine me.

Because I am imperfect, I can look beyond the imperfections in others. Because I am unique, I can celebrate and honor the uniqueness of others.

Because I am flexible, I am able to bend to my need for routine and embrace life as it happens.

Because I am faithful, I can withstand the trials and tribulations life throws at me and be okay.

Because I am nurturing, I want to take care of others. I am learning to take care of myself, I am important too.

Because I am adaptable, I am willing to see my “failures” as building blocks to use toward building a solid, more successful and fulfilling future.

Because I am only human, I worry, have anxiety and deal with poor coping skills. But, because I am human, I am persistent, dedicated and recognize that I have many good coping skills.

Because I am…

I loved putting these thoughts, feelings, hopes, and desires together this week. I appreciated seeing how we can create positive thoughts to share with others. I will add to this poem and create new ones to share with others.

It is important to know we are not alone.

Terry Price, one of the founders of this retreat, passed out a piece of paper and had everyone write on it because I am… He then asked us to fill in the rest of the sentence. You could write as little or as much as you wanted. He gathered up the papers and put them in order. As he read them, one after another, our thoughts had become a poem. I had forgotten about this little exercise until we had a Zoom social gathering with our West of the Moon retreaters last week. At the close of the gathering, Terry reread the poem we created together. It was beautiful.

Because I am real, I know my thoughts, feelings and fears are felt by others too. I understand and I am here to listen.