With the holiday season in full swing, there’s a whole lot of giving, gifting (and regifting) going on… and that’s a good thing. It’s a welcome rush of peace and goodwill that the world could really use right now.
I’m all for giving to others in its many magical forms: presents, parties, special getaways, fundraisers and charitable donations, time, energy, and money, all for the greater good.
However, when it’s all about giving—without receiving in return—that’s a set up for imbalance, fatigue, and your “wellspring” of kindness, energy, and holiday spirit ultimately running dry.
I’ve discovered that receiving, not just giving is an act of generosity. Not only does it allow and encourage others to experience the joy of giving, but also only when you can RECEIVE at a whole new level can you GIVE at a whole new level.
The ‘love’ has to flow both ways.
Many of us continue to give, give, give, while resisting receiving, because it’s just too hard to accept help, gifts or even a compliment… especially when we feel ‘unworthy’ or embarrassed by an gift we consider too much.
That happened to me while in Kenya, where I was volunteering and helping teach children in the Masai community. On a home visit, a student’s mother gave me a hand-beaded, traditional Masai headdress she had worn on her wedding day!
I was both honoured and shocked by the gesture, but I knew I could not refuse this extraordinary gift and act of kindness. So I accepted it with grace and placed the beautiful beaded ‘crown’ on my head. The other teachers with me said I looked like a “Masai queen.” (Albeit a white one.)
So here’s what that grand moment of receiving taught me.
If you can open your heart and receive in whatever form it appears, no matter how unusual or unexpected, it will reenergize and lift you, and all those around you.
The act of receiving—gifts, time, appreciation, support—fuels your body, heart and soul so life flows with ease, grace, and, at times, magic.
That said the offer of such a meaningful gift from the Masai woman did bring up thoughts of “am I deserving of such a gift?”
I’d also had to surrender control of the situation and not defer or diminish this act of genuine and heartfelt appreciation from someone I barely knew.
And surrendering control is not easy for fiercely independent, self-sufficient, “I can do it myself” types like me, used to running our lives without much help.
Sound familiar?
Giving is easier than receiving because when you give you are in control, when you receive you are not.
However, if you can surrender control (Africa gives you many opportunities) and shift your mindset to be willing and open to receive, you create more of it … often in extraordinary ways. Imagine the beauty of that!
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If you can create space to allow help, and others, in you’ll see and experience the best in others or a certain scenario rather than the worst.
And if you can reframe receiving as a good thing, not the universe implying that you’re inadequate or ‘helpless,’ you’ll be amazed who and what shows up to support you. Magic.
Receiving does not take away from another it simply adds light and love to the exchange we call life.
Receiving is an act of self-love. Because you can’t give what you don’t have.
As the year wraps up, where can you let go of control and perhaps fear, fatigue, and overwhelm, to receive more?
If you’re ready to receive the ultimate gift of self-love, FOCUSING ON YOUR SELF (what a radical concept) to create something you’d love in 2018, I’d love to support you.
I’ve created a program that is all about YOU receiving what you need, want, and deserve to bring your next dream or big goal to fruition. The Soul Ignition Coaching Program begins January 11, 2018. Check it out.
Surrender. Allow. Receive.
And watch what happens and aligns for you.
This season, and always, may you give AND receive abundantly.
You’re worth it.