Author: GP Staff (120 Articles)
Chris is the Managing Editor of Gratitude Planet and can be found most days enjoying the Southern California weather and waves.
For a whole summer when I was a teenager, I remember walking the beach at sunrise every morning with a good friend who was about fifty years older than I was. She would pick me up early in the morning, and we would stroll the beach just being grateful and talking about life in general. It was a very connected way to start the day. Afterward we would usually pop in for a quick and cheap breakfast at a local cafe. I was so appreciative of the time, and I wanted to show it by picking up the tab for breakfast. I picked up the tab for the first several times, and then one day she stopped and insisted that I NOT pay so that she could pay. I resisted. She finally said to me that “she who pays has the power of giving, but she who receives has the power of receiving.” I was stopped in my tracks because I never thought of receiving as a powerful act. It was then and there for the first time that I realized my lack of practice around receiving. It was hard for me to not pay. It was difficult to enjoy letting her pay…I felt slightly guilty. Over the years I have come to balance giving and receiving in my life. When I pay (or donate. or give my time, etc.) I do it in full appreciation for the good it brings to others. And when I receive, I receive fully, without guilt or shame or worry, the amazing gifts being offered. It is truly powerful to open yourself up to receiving. And bear in mind that receiving can take place all day (not just in the form of money) through smiles, positive interactions, or compliments from others. Receive with your full power. I am grateful for that early experience, and I appreciate the wisdom it has brought to my life. Perhaps you (The Gratitudeplanet.com community) have had an experience like this one? We would like to read it if you are willing to share it. Be.Love today! Hannya-GP
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I kind of have one that’s sort of in reverse of what you talk about here. I have this colleague who is terrific! He’s always picking up the tab when we go out for lunch, always is the first one to help out when a project comes due and just an all around nice person to be with. One day, at lunch as a matter of fact, I decided to return the favor that he has done so many times before and pick up the tab for the both of us. You should have seen his face! He was completely flabbergasted that someone would want to pay the check instead of him. I just gave him a smile and said “for all the times you’ve been there for me.” It felt good. Really good! And I know that he appreciated it as well.
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My experiences have all been very similar to Hannya’s. I learned as a young child, that one of my greatest gifts that I can give to the world (and now the universe), is my ability to love other beings fully, and generously without the slightest thought of what I’m going to get in return. The “what” part of the exchange doesn’t matter to me…my reward has always been the good feelings I get when I love people, animals, plants, etc. with my whole being. It can be through a smile, a comment of praise, a hug (my personal favorite), or even as simple as a cup of coffee. It doesn’t matter. The point is that I do these things because I love them, and I want them to KNOW….really know that they are loved for who they are, at that very moment in time. I believe our world would be much more connected to source if we got rid of all of the convenient excuses for not loving each other, and just do it.
Like Hannya, I also have felt a little self conscious sometimes, when someone decides to turn and give me what they feel inspired to give me. Part of it, I think, comes from the knowledge that I wasn’t expecting anything in return. It just shows me that I am also not in the practice of receiving. I’m learning (sometimes slowly), that other people need to give as well, and that they need to be received by me the way that I was received by them. It is a difficult thing sometimes, but it has reaped some substantial bounties on both the part of the giver, as well as the receiver. Good lesson! Thank you Hannya!
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