Beth's Ponderings
I’m sure you’ve
heard, as I have, that it is better to give than to receive.
Yet, if there is no
one, or nothing, to receive, then the giver isn’t really giving.
Contrary to how we
usually view the process, the two actions are not two separate, and completely
opposite actions, but two expressions of the exact same action.
For, when the giver
gives, and the receiver receives, the receiver also gives and the giver
receives.
Thus, you would
think that giving and receiving would come easily and naturally to us all. Unfortunately, while we are born with that
ability, it seems to lessen as we grow and mature.
Because of society’s
bias towards giving being better, we are taught to give endlessly, in a variety
of ways, even to people - or especially to people - who do not want to receive
what we are giving. And, since the other
party doesn’t really receive what we give, we haven’t really given anything,
nor have we been able to receive anything, so must then try to give more and
more and more, until we are depleted physically, mentally, and emotionally.
But, the secret to
real giving and receiving, is that nothing is depleted, or lost, in the
exchange. It is an “exchange,” something
given and something received, every time, by both parties.
If asked, most of
us would say we are pretty good givers and receivers, effectively balancing the
two. So, here’s a question for you...what
is your reaction when someone compliments you?
Do you say a simple “thank you” (truly receiving) or do you brush it off
(rejecting)? When someone thanks you for
something do you say a sincere “you’re welcome” (truly receiving) or do you
brush it off by saying it was nothing or not important (rejecting)? Or, we can test this in an even easier manner
- how deep is your normal inhalation?
The breath never lies, so unless you are regularly breathing in full,
deep inhalations, you aren’t really open to receiving, and thus, not truly
giving either.
As we tend to
ignore ourselves, start fully giving and receiving with yourself, and then
share with others.
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://sites.google.com/site/thechautauqua22/home/May%2019%2C%202017%20Chautauqua.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1
