Designing a passionate life, giving life meaning, and life purpose requires that you receive as well as give. From the time we are very little we are told by parents, teachers, friends, and relatives that it is better to give than to receive. I agree that it is a good thing to give but to give and give and give drains you of your energy and leaves a gapping hole in who you are. You have no idea who you are because you are so busy giving to everyone else you are and you have absolutely no idea how to receive.
The discussion on endless giving is for another blog post, right now I want to focus on receiving. There is a natural rhythm to giving and receiving and in order for the process to continue to flow, you must also receive. I want you to stop and think about how you receive. What do you do? Do you deflect compliments? Do you diminish the compliment? If someone gives you a gift, do you say, "you shouldn't have"? If someone wants to do something kind for you, do they have to practically hold you down and insist that you let them?
These are all methods of deflecting the gift the person is giving you, whether it is a gift of words, an object, or an experience. Two things are happening here. You are diminishing yourself, by not being open to receive and you are diminishing the gift being offered. When you know who you are and what you are about, receiving comes easily. It is not selfish to receive but a necessary flow of energy in your life. It fills you up and enables you to give back.
Now I want to give you some steps to take so you can practice receiving. If you are in the habit of deflecting it is going to take some practice to receive. That's OK, set your intention to receive fully and you will start the process of change. I'm going to use the gift of a compliment. It is small and easier to receive than some larger ways people can give to you.
Pick a scenario that you had recently where someone gave you a compliment and in some manner you deflected it, so you didn't take it in. Use that scenario to go through the following steps as the event originally occurred. Then go through the process a second time and create a different outcome where you received the compliment completely.
How to Receive a Compliment
- Pause and simply notice how you respond. Where do you feel the compliment in your body? How does it feel? Is it tight, pleasant, or painful?
- Pause before your reply, take a deep breath let it out and smile.
- Look the other person in the eyes and say "Thank you", that's all. When you learn to accept receiving you can add more than Thank you.
- Completely take the compliment in, let it run through your body and mind. Feel the energy. Soak it up. How does your body feel now? Is it energized? Dwell in the moment.
- Replay the compliment in your mind a couple of times after it's given and appreciate the gift the person gave you and appreciate yourself for being able to receive it completely and with grace.
- Look the other person in the eyes and say "Thank you", that's all. When you learn to accept receiving you can add more than Thank you.
Receiving is an integral part of living a passionate life and living with fulfillment. Sign up for my free PDD report now and start living a passionate life now.
