It Is Blessed to Receive Too

"I am so glad you are here...it helps me to realize how beautiful my world is."
   ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe~

 

Have you noticed that often the most interesting thing about life isn’t what happens, but is rather how you respond to what happens?  Recently I had one of those situations that gave rise to a reaction that made me pause.

This winter has been a snowy one in my neck of the woods.  And a big storm over the weekend had left my car, along with the neighbors’ all buried.  A landscape crew was just starting to blow and plow.  I was admiring the view out the window when the phone rang.

It was my friend Denny, saying that he had cleared out his driveway and wanted to stop by after going to Home Depot and dig out my car.  I had asked a man across the street if I could pay him to clean out around it, and he had agreed to come later in the day.

Denny persisted.  What if the guy didn’t show up?  I was sure that he would.  And besides, what about your back?  His back was doing fine. I was still in flu recovery mode and couldn’t help shovel.  No problem; he didn’t need my help.  He would be on his way shortly. 

I noticed that I was having some emotional reactions to this exchange.  Some irritation and anxiety...maybe a little panic.  What on earth was going on?  I got myself collected, made some coffee for us, and we had a very pleasant visit after he had finished shoveling out my car and porch.  I greatly appreciated having the job done.

Later I was reflecting on this, and it occurred to me that just accepting an offer of help and receiving it is a challenge for me!  I should at least have grabbed a shovel and gone out there to do my share of the work!

Perhaps like me you have learned that being self-sufficient is important.  And that being helpful to others is blessed.  It is more blessed to give than to receive.

But in order to have balance in your life, and indeed in order to be nurtured and sustained, you must also receive.  My acupuncturist is telling me that in order to rebuild the immune system, I must rest, sleep and avoid the stress of pushing myself.  (Do you think he might be talking about a lifestyle change?!)

As we observe nature, we see that the tide goes out, and it also comes in.  The nutrients are taken from the soil by the plants we grow, and those nutrients must be replaced.  We exert ourselves through work and exercise, and we replenish our stores by eating and drinking nutrients we need. 

We give love through our attention and expressions and help, and we must receive love as well.  If not, we will become stressed, fatigued and burned out.

So this week pay attention to how open you are (or not) to receiving.  Give yourself the gift of time out to be quiet.  Time to do something pleasant just for yourself, or to do something with someone you love.  When you receive a compliment, relish it and truly take it in rather than giving the rudimentary thank you or brushing it off.  Visualize opening your heart to Love.

Know that it truly is blessed to receive.  You’ll be healthier for it.