“Everything comes to us that belongs to us if we create the capacity to receive it.” ~Rabindranath Tagore
Okay, so I have had time to go inward with a personal challenge I am having. I am a giver, 100%. I love to give without thought of compensation and all that goes along with that state-of-mind. What I discovered today is that I am creating my own hardships because I am, unknowingly, creating a lack mentality by my one-sided thoughts about receiving being the same as taking. They are different. Let me explain:
When I was younger I was raised by a family dynamic who took way to much from other people. She, he, it, we, them and they took so much that it cost people more than they were willing to give. The act of TAKING from others became synonyms with hurting, stealing, corrupting, and destroying their psyche. I watched it over and over and eventually, I became a target and a victim of “being taken” for more than I wanted to give or was able to give and received nothing in return except some battle scars and invaluable experiences of “what-not-to-do”. So, I believe it is safe to say that, at one point in our lives, we all “get taken” in some way, shape or form or we all give more than we wanted. It is inevitable and the hurtful experiences may leave a bitter taste of resentment on our spiritual palates which may be very hard to get rid of. Maybe this will help you too.
If I am able to re-evaluate the root causes of my thinking, I can become more at ease in a state of receiving. If this is done in tandem with an overwhelming desire to create a more harmonious relationship with my soul and the abundant Universe, I will be able to relax into the process of developing a deeper faith for what I need to learn from my recent experiences. It is very clear to me that RECEIVING and TAKING are two completely different energies and states of consciousness.
Taking is a noun: taking means- the action or process of taking something as in “taking a life” or taking a job promotion as in performing a task for compensation.
Receive is a verb and has several meanings-be given, presented with or paid (something). To suffer, experience or be subject to (specified treatment). Greet or welcome (a visitor) formally. Form (an idea or impression) as a result of perception of experience.
Everyone will have their own attachment or story with the two terms and rightly so because I did not ever want to be labeled as a “taker” due to my past. As a result of my life experiences, I cut myself off from the true source of receiving. I essentially became a martyr of the unfair aspects of life and resentful in the process of not wanting to “take more than my fair share” when, in reality, GOD and this amazingly abundant Universe wants to give ME so much more than I feel worthy of via people, experiences, helpful friends, and divinely inspired givers. My job is to learn to graciously receive with ease and joy in my heart because it creates harmony with the cycle of giving and receiving, which by the way, cannot co-exist unless they are both in harmony with one another.
So with all of my research on this topic today, I’ve learned that I can be spiritual and wealthy. I can give and receive in a harmonious way to further develop my own personal relationship with abundance. I do not have to be afraid of attaining great wealth in addition to my spiritual wealth. I am willing to do the work necessary to achieve my goal and it starts with being completely transparent with my fears and honest about all of my intentions going forward. Rest assured, GOD will not punish me for being successful. Money is not evil because it is not able to act on its own. I can leave all that dysfunctional money guilt shit in the commode of life and flush with confidence.
I am so glad that this topic has come up, repeatedly, for me to finally be able to break down the barriers that prevented me from receiving with grace and ease. I will ask for help when needed. I will ask with an open heart and receive with love. It is nice knowing what I need to continue on in life as a woman with an intense passion to meet all challenges head on so that I can learn more about what helps my soul stretch and grow. It seems when I go in the direction of what I fear a treasure trove of life lessons are waiting for me on the other side.
“Until we can receive with an open heart, we’re never really giving with an open heart. When we attach judgement to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgement to giving help.” ~Brene Brown
Originally published at www.rebeccaledwards.com