Kate: For Over 25 years, Suzan Joy Wells has supported people through movement, voice, and healing work. Over time, she came to see that the body is where healing is felt and lived.
When we begin to listen to the body, things start to shift, and real change becomes possible. I know this to be true and fully embodied in Suzan because we've been working together for several years now. It's always a pleasure to be in her company and I know you'll feel the same.
Welcome, Suzan, to Selfworthy HSP Summit.
Suzan: Thank you, Kate. It's lovely to be here and an honor to join you.
Kate: Can you share your unique views about self-worth with us please?
Suzan: Sure. I think self worth is something that is innate or the birthright of every human being. We are all here doing our own individual journey of life. I think where the issue comes in with this and so many of the challenges that we face in life is that we forget our interconnectedness, how all life weaves together, how all humanity has a place.
I like to think of it as a mandala of life, and we all have our place, and without one person and their uniqueness, how ever our ego would judge it, it would all fall apart.
Kate: Is there a story from your life that illustrates that, or helped lead you to that understanding?
Suzan: I think like all of us, the opposite of where we're going, so if self-worth is an issue, not feeling worthy happens in our formative years. And we incorrectly assumed that we're not worthy or we're not good enough, or we are not okay as we are.
And for me it was a somewhat chaotic, entry into life.
I was my mother's first child. And then within a few years, I was three of three. And then year or so later, there were more babies coming all the time. And there never seemed to be time for me.
What I learned to do was be a really good girl and work really, really hard waiting for that worthiness, for that love to make me complete.
And of course it didn't happen ,and it didn't happen as an adult, and then I'd get resentful and then go round the cycle again. So in my healing journey, which has been about 30 odd years, I did at some point, like a lot of these things, I suddenly get it and go, oh.
That's why I love to share these things because I think if we can talk together and share from an open heart that we all have our challenges, and we are all unique and just how we're meant to be, and we evolve and grow and change and we do that together. We do that in community, in connection through listening. Listening to our body, listening to what goes on in our head behind all the chitter chatter, and listening to one another.
Kate: Yeah. So how does that relate to the experience of coming home?
Suzan: One way to look at where this pure gem that we are, this jewel in the Lotus, is to feel it within the body. And for me that felt sense, knowing on that level is where I really know. There is no misunderstanding. It's a non-negotiable. When I feel something truly in my body, I know. I could have known it cognitively, for ages.
Kate: You're gonna lead us through a movement practice and this practice could be done sitting, but you would like me to...
Suzan: if you'd like to do it standing in a bigger range of movement, and all of the movements can be done sitting in a chair. I'd love for you to demo so that I can talk the words 'cause it's got a little story with it.
Our hands together represent the lotus bud, that jewel that we are, and we'll see, it symbolizes the journey of life, really.
I have a couple of rules. One of them is, always breathe. The other one is, your body is the boss. You follow the body. None of this is prescriptive. It's just how it lands in your body at each time, and it could be very, very different. So for you and those people watching, your body rules.
So have a little wriggle, whatever it is you need to get yourself comfy. If there's any aches and pains, easing them out.
Oh, perhaps a yawn or a sigh. Lovely way to start that downregulating of the nervous system. Oh, beautiful.
So whenever you are ready, you're gonna bring the palms together at the chest. Let's take three breaths together here. Your hands representing that lotus, that jewel, that you are. The highest worthiness.
The lotus starts its day in bud.
As the sun comes up, so the petals open. By midday, the Lotus has opened its face completely to the sunshine. It draws its light and strength through its petals to the stem and the roots.
That's it. The gentle breeze sways the plant first one way and then the other. Uh, that's it.
And the breeze can turn into a strong wind, but no matter how far the little flower bends, it always manages to keep control. Returning to its original position,
many tiny fish swim in a figure of eight around its roots.
All around there are tiny insects. They hover overhead.
The insects look down at the beautiful yellow flowers.
All kinds of birds sing peacefully.
Occasionally the smaller birds land on the lotus Lily to rest.
As the daylight falls, the petals of the lily fold upwards,
closing tightly to seal in the goodness of the day and resting peacefully until the dawn.
Great. Should we do it one more time?
The Lotus starts the day in bud as the sun comes up, so the petals open By midday, the lotus has opened its face completely to the sunshine. It draws its light and strength through its petals to the stem and to the roots. The gentle breeze sways the plant first, one side and then the other. The breeze can turn into a strong wind.
Returning to its original position.
Many tiny fish swim in a figure of eight around its roots.
All around there are tiny insects. The insects look down at the yellow flowers.
All kinds of birds sing peacefully.
The smaller birds land on the lotus lily to rest.
As the daylight falls, the petals of the lily fold upwards closing tightly to seal in the goodness of the day and resting peacefully until the dawn.
So pausing here, softening your gaze or closing your eyes for a moment. Perhaps the hands come to the navel or just below the breastbone.
Being aware or open to the possibility that the jewel of you lies within. That deep worth. The sun shines on us all equally.
in moments of triumphs and moments of struggle. We can connect with that inner Lotus, that highest potential.
The worthiness in me acknowledges the worthiness in you.
Kate: Thanks so much. I feel light, and a little delight.
Suzan: Lovely. It was great to see each time it was a bit different and that's how it should be. 'cause each moment we're a bit different, aren't we?
Kate: Anything you'd like to say to wrap up?
Suzan: Yeah. Practices like this can seem very simple.
They can also be very easy to do.
Except when we need them the most.
It happens to us all, doesn't it, Kate?
It's the most difficult time to support ourselves.
Kate: Heck yeah.
Suzan, thank you so much for jumping on today with us. I hope to see you really soon.
Suzan: My pleasure.
Bye Kate.
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