Giving and receiving go beyond gifts on particular occasions. It has more to do with a spiritual expression in any tangible gesture. Take time to look at the simplest of actions through your day and you’ll discover that the law of giving and receiving is a perfect balance which can start in either direction.
Open to receiving with gratitude
I wasn’t ready mentally and emotionally to meet with a potential local collaboration partner the other day. My mind and emotions were still on a holiday of ease and work focus lacked the typical play feel it normally has for me. I start each day with being grateful for a few things as well as an intention. As I moved through this particular morning, I stayed focused on my positive intention in all that I did. No demands and no expectations.
In the back of my mind I wanted to give attention to this potential partner yet didn’t have my heart in it for the timing. It was a mixed recipe that lacked a key ingredient: my heart. Shortly, the potential partner text messaged me to ask for a postponement of our meeting.
More of my heart went into my intention to flow easily and effortlessly through the day with all actions. That’s the energy that helps me receive something I want – in this example, a reprieve to a better time for the meeting.
My exuberant expression of gratitude for the gift of postponement was now in a mental note for myself to include this happenstance in my evening gratitude list.
St Francis of Assisi tells us that It is in giving that we receive; but it is also true that it in receiving we give. By receiving a gift of postponement, an expression of gratitude to a person apologizing for the requested change, was no doubt accepted with relief and more gratitude by both.
Gratitude puts us in harmony for the giving, just the other side of receiving. Receiving puts us in the perfect place to express gratitude.
If you can accept stepping into the flow from either side, you’ll move from the little to the larger ways with ease.
Can you be open to begin the flow – giving and receiving – from either side of the equation with caring, loving and appreciating?
Pat,
What a great topic. The receiving part is hard for me and part of that is believing there is not enough for everyone. I like the statement below.
“If you can accept stepping into the flow from either side, you’ll move from the little to the larger ways with ease.”
I have a goal of putting one thing I am thankful for on twitter every day. Keeps me thinking about it and maybe another will smile one more time that day.
A little fun never hurt either: A pun a day makes me a better humor being.#pun
A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a weapon of math disruption.#pun
Love that goal Jim! Put that gratitude right out there.
I’m firm believer that you give to receive without the expectation of actually receiving back. When my husband passed on last year I was on the receiving end of a lot of love and support. I learned to accept it without guilt because I also know that it meant a lot to the givers. There is so much satisfaction in knowing that you are giving and it is being received with gratitude.
What a sad and lovely situation Jeannette. That it a most significant life event that you were able to have such a lovely receiving experience. I appreciate you sharing it.
I write my daily gratitudes each day which definitely helps me see the good in my life. It has taken practice for me to receive. I believe that “in giving you receive” but you must receive to give more.
Every morning, noon and evening does it for me with pause to be grateful Julia. Thanks for expanding this with your idea of receiving to give more. Lovely.
Pat,
I have always found just the act of giving gives you so much and it is so simple to do. Like most things in lfe the more you do it the better you feel and just getting a smile back as thanks is more than enough for me.
If you receive back I see it as an unexpected bonus for the day.
Thanks for the post.