As I begin to soften, it's become more apparent to me, the way in which we are programmed when it comes to our understanding of affection. ( Well at least mine, anyhow.) For the most part, we look for affection from others. We crave it, the way I'm which it makes us feel. Because we feel more accepted, a part of something beautiful. It feels good, to be seen.
And then we get to give affection, to be affectionate and see the joy that it brings to others. It's a beautiful thing, once you are open to both give and recieve. I'm sure, we have all experienced times in our lives were it has been difficult, to give and/or recieve.
A lot depends, on where we are in our lives. How we have lived.
Today I attended a Biodanza Class, where the focus was on affection. More specifically, the way in which we show affection to ourselves. Something, that I certainly was not always familiar with and I know that I wasn't the only one who felt that way.
Like so much in life, we are taught to place our focus externally. To look outwards for the solutions, instead of inwards. We are taught, to be of service to others. Learning, to become comfortable neglecting our own well being. When you think about how we tend to prioritise others more. It's mostly how we have been raised.
At the end of last year, I made a commitment to myself, that I was finally going to become more tender with myself. More gentle. This journey that would soften me.
Today I woke up and it was drizzling, ever so softly. The air felt and smelt amazing. The damp earth anointed my no
senses, the clouds hung low on the mountains, as though to remind me to thread softly, to thread softly with myself. Once I can do that, then I can do it with others.
At the begining of the class, we were given the opportunity to share what part of ourselves needed the most affection. I was pretty blown away, that this was our focus, considering I just wrote about it a few days ago. Not everyone wished to share, but those that did, picked one part of their body, that they felt needed the most affection. I chose my whole body.
What followed was some beautiful exercises to help us connect from a place of love, so that we were ready to power ourselves up. One exercise, was done in pairs. Where one person, was a mirror and the other person moved to the music, whilst being affectionate towards themselves. Whatever they did, the mirror copied. It was fun, helping us to be more at ease with self love. With hugging ourselves, stroking ourselves. Instead of being made to feel awkward. Which really is a reflection, of how disconnected we have become.
Photos are my own, taken with my Samsung phone.
