One of the traits many of us, perhaps most of us have learned is the trait of seeking acknowledgment. If we perform a task, do well at work, help someone, do a good deed, we hope someone will notice and give us a nod, a pat on the back, y’know, an acknowledgment.
Growing up in a family of nine kids, I don’t remember that being so much the case because, quite frankly, it didn’t seem as though anyone was going to notice our good deeds anyway. At least, not as much as we would certainly be noticed for our bad deeds, misbehavior, disrespect, poor grades, etc.
Even so, I don’t remember when that all changed for me. I can remember doing things for people just because that’s who I am, it’s “what I do”. I don’t remember, anytime in my growing up where I really sought for recognition. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t (maybe just that I don’t remember it). Since I don’t remember seeking acknowledgment, I can only suppose that such “seeking” was more the exception than the rule. Perhaps, another part of this is that I always felt like an oddball, not quite fitting in, so why seek recognition? The only point being that somewhere along the line, I learned this trait of seeking acknowledgment.
Where I’m leading is to this being another case of having to unlearn a behavior I’ve acquired in this lifetime. As someone who has been socializing with various aspects of healers, for several years now, I can see where some people seek acknowledgment for the work that they do and some people don’t seem to do so. I can see where I have continually sought to be aware of a manner in which I can both enhance my own abilities, as well as get some recognition for it. And, when I don’t feel that there will be any recognition, I am less inclined to get involved.
For instance, if someone asks for help and a number of people jump in with sending prayers, hugs, light, good energy, reiki and other healing gestures and techniques, I find myself holding back and letting them have at it with little more than a positive thought or brief prayer from my own self. But, that’s wrong. And, this morning something wonderful shifted in the way I handle such an instance. I saw myself stepping back and “letting them have at it”, yet a deeper inner wisdom spoke to me of going about the method of healing I have to offer and I did so with confidence in my own abilities, therefore not needing any sort of recognition of my effort.
In short, the message that came across was simply: “It doesn’t need to be known that I am doing healing work. Only that I do so in whatever means seems appropriate, at any time. It isn’t important that I be noticed.
It is important that I do what I can.”
In the bigger picture, we must not keep from doing things, helping where we can, being who we are, because we may not get acknowledgment, or that others will. Rather, it is imperative that we lead with our spirit, with confidence, in offering our services, our gifts, our talents, never needing recognition. After all, it isn’t the people’s recognition we really need or should seek. The only recognition we should be seeking (if any) is our own, in knowing that we are doing the best that we can, helping in whatever way we can, and being true to who we are. Therein lies the real gift.
Another thing that needs to be unlearned.
Peter J Quandt