‘Tis a Gift to Receive
Posted by Jana Groscost Matthews | Filed under Manifesting, Transformation
We’ve all heard the saying, “It’s better to give then receive.” But in the manifesting process, both giving and receiving are attributes of the process, called the Law of Reciprocity. When manifesting or creating something new, the Universe often sends unexpected ideas or resources to support the request. However, these subtle messages can be missed if there are expectations of how, when, or where the answers are supposed to appear and your ability to receive help. Do you reject the help you’re offered without even realizing it?
For most of us it’s easier to give than receive, but without discovering and building receiving muscles, the manifesting process is limited or fails. Learning to receive can be a challenge. The world will abundantly give to all of us! So how do you build your receiving muscles.
When the cosmos sends you help, how do you respond?
Do you feel guilty or anxious when someone offers to help or gives you a compliment?
Do you feel you’re weak or incapable if you accept help that’s offered to you?
Do you feel you deserve what you’re being offered?
Do you fear what others will think of you if you accept help?
How you feel about yourself is an indicator of how willing you are to receive. You may have been taught that you need to do everything on your own to prove you’re strong and capable. But guess what, the people who are the strongest are the ones who allow others to help them and be a part of the process. We all have different gifts and talents, and as we work together we draw from one another’s talents to make the bigger picture work for all of us. There is no competition or finish line. The world continuously expands to support all of our dreams, especially when we learn to work together to help everyone get what they want.
A few years back I read a great book about learning to receive called Things Will Get As Good As You Can Stand by Laura Doyle. She artfully provides simple ideas to build your ability to receive and learning about the reciprocal nature of the process. You can check out her book on the “I Recommend” widget on the right hand side of my blog.
Ask for what you want! Many people are fearful of even asking for what they really want. Perhaps the fear stems from being disappointed or rejected if they ask for something. Fears alter a person’s belief system. The beliefs, or programming, change a person’s behavior, resulting in limiting the ability to manifest.
Another way of getting into receive mode is to practice conscious daily giving. I know that’s just what you wanted to hear – give more so I can receive. But there is a difference in consciously giving and being in receiving mode. A year ago I was introduced to Cami Walker’s website 29Gifts.org. Cami talks about the daily health challenges she faces and how her life shifted as a result of consciously giving a daily gift for 29 days. She has done this for over a year now and published a book about her journey. As a result her health has improved, her business has improved, and her relationships have improved. All of this from consciously giving simple gifts each day for 29 consecutive days. The key here is the “consecutive days of giving”, if you miss a day, you start over.
The momentum that is created by giving daily is amazing! The gifts are something you value – giving a client an extra half hour of your time, a phone call to someone in need, helping someone out unexpectedly, or whatever you decide. The key here is the gift must be conscious, not an afterthought.
The Law of Reciprocity definitely kicks in as a result of daily giving. After experimenting with daily giving, I too can validate amazing results of receiving gifts and shifting the flow of my energy! Are you feeling tapped out because you are constantly giving, but feeling like nothing is reciprocated? Look into your feelings and beliefs about receiving. Learn to shift your ability to receive by accepting little gifts such as doors being opened for you, a kind smile, someone offering their seat to you, or whatever the gesture. Graciously accept and say, “thank you” for the gesture. By accepting little things you’ll build your receiving muscle and open yourself up to receiving more and more. Learning to receive take practice and effort.
...
To prepare for the manifesting, write down a list of goals or intentions you want to attract or issues you want to release during the lunar cycle. After the cycle is over, review your old list crossing off goals achieved and file it, then begin a new list for the new cycle. To maintain balance in your life, look at goals on several different levels including financial, spiritual, mental, emotional, and physically.