Giving and Receiving

I’d be willing to bet that if you are reading this blog because you’re interested in personal empowerment then you are probably a giver. I see so many of them everyday. Givers give of their time, energy, resources – everything! Givers are there to help others. And… sometimes… Givers are not good receivers.

I once knew a person who did another person a small service as a favor. The second person insisted on paying, much to the discomfort of the first. Eventually the first resigned his position and accepted the pay – by turning his back and hold his hand out behind him in a most “I’m-not-worthy” way. Wow! Can you imagine how the payer felt both not able to express his appreciation for the service but then to encounter the unhappy reception of his money? To the same extent, the person receiving was literally declaring to the world, “Money makes me feel bad.”

I used to be that person. At Christmas time, I’d love to give a present and when given one, I’d feel embarrassed and fuss about “Oh you didn’t need to.” or some silly passing over of my own appreciation.

I once heard that you cannot give from an empty cup. What a powerful a message that was for me. I learned afterwards that if I didn’t charge appropriately and be willing to receive for my services then I could not do want I wanted to do for very long. This was just a practical lesson of the advise about the empty cup.

Reader, let me share with you this lesson. You must be willing to receive in order to give. The more you receive, the more you can give! Money, time, resources are all just energy and the universe is abundant with it. More importantly, the universe demands a balance of it. Energy must be exchange for work or other services performed. The energy may not necessarily come directly from the person whom you are helping. It may sneak in the side from a third party.

You don’t know how or when or where energy will find you. That is not your job. Your job is to be open to receiving it.

In gratitude,
-Lane