I love the whole giving thing! It’s so important in so many ways. Being a “giving” person is such a kind and loving thing to do for others, and it also does wonders to raise our own happiness and well-being! Cool, huh? Excuse the gigantic generalization here, but if you take the time to read the things I write, and resonate with them a bit, I’m going to assume there’s a good chance you have the “giving” energy down pretty well. And so this week I ask you, “When is the last time you were a graceful receiver?”
I remember something beautiful and important that happened shortly before the pandemic was in full force (and thus, when sharing food wasn’t a risky thing :). I was driving home from work and had stopped at Publix (a local grocery store) to get some stuff to make soup. I had been craving homemade soup, but the boys weren’t home to make it and I had been on the “busyness” wheel and hadn’t made time to do it either. I was later than usual from work, and was already hungry. I remember having that, “I’m tired and over it” kind of feeling but was going to “push on” because delicious homemade soup sounded SO right for the moment!
As I pulled into the parking lot I got a call from a friend of ours. After we talked for a few minutes she said, “Hey, it’s late already and I made soup for our dinner tonight anyway. Just stop by and I’ll give you a container of it so you don’t have to make it tonight.” I started to do the, “Oh no, that’s okay. That’s not why I told you I was heading into the store” thing. But then I stopped… and let myself feel the deliciousness of letting someone be the giver. I let myself feel the beautiful (though sometimes awkward) feeling of being the receiver… of just saying yes to being loved and supported.
Because that’s what happens when we are the receiver, you know – even of something small. When I choose to be a receiver it’s me saying “yes” to being loved and supported. When you choose to be a receiver, it’s you saying “yes” to being loved and supported. How cool is that?! I love that feeling! And think about it, if so many of us love to give – because that feels so awesome for so many of us! – then we are going to need to learn to receive just as gracefully in order for all the energies to balance out and not get all stuck, right?
When someone is trying to be the giver, then realize that they are asking us to be the receiver. I think there are three things we can do when someone “invites” us to receive – whether with a simple compliment, an offer to help, by being a great listener, by holding the door open for us, with a gift of time or money, by being available emotionally…or with a container of soup.
- We can say no.
- We can say yes, but feel guilty or embarrassed or awkward or inferior as we receive.
- We can say yes, remembering that it’s a kind, loving, strong thing to do to be a graceful receiver; and we can say yes, intending to receive with our hearts wide open, feeling the awesome power of gratitude!
Your provocation this week is simply to be a graceful, appreciative receiver whenever the opportunity arises. I bet we’ll all be surprised how often the opportunity arises!