Friday, January 27, 2012

On Being A Generous Receiver

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
--Winston Churchill

Earlier this week, one of my longtime fellow-Libra friends, Mel, over at Mels Dream, shared something that inspired me to write this post. In fact, she’s always sharing delightful tidbits of inspiration on her blog that causes me to reflect.

So grazie mille, dear lady…..x

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Mel shared a very thought-provoking post on giving.

However, it was this last sentence that really struck a chord within.

“In our generosity, we also learn to receive others' gifts to us with humility and respect.”

And the reason it hit home for me was because I’ve always felt comfortable in giving, but not so much when it came to receiving.

Yet, I’ve since discovered that it’s equally important to be a generous receiver, as it is a generous giver.

Mel’s post reminded me of a time in my life when I went through financial bankruptcy and was supported by family and friends, who reached out and helped me tremendously. In fact, if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have made it.

But I’ve got to tell you, it wasn’t easy to accept their generosity.

One, I was too ashamed. And two, I somehow felt that it was wrong to accept their giving.

You see, I grew up in a generation where we were instilled that it’s always better to give than receive.

And why? Well, because it was selfish to take.

But what I’ve learned is that it’s selfish not to take.

If you really think about it, receiving is actually giving because you’re giving the giver the opportunity to pay forward a kind gesture that may have at one time been given to them.

To me, giving and receiving are a Universal balance.

If someone is always giving and not receiving, then the balance becomes imbalanced.

However, giving and receiving is not about keeping tabs, no. What I mean by balance is that if the time ever comes when you feel a calling to help someone, or give them a gift, or even support them with something as simple as a kind word in an email or a phone call, then by all means do.

But at the same time, we must graciously allow others to give to us in return.

And then say, “Thank you.” And openly receive it.

It’s a Universal balance.

Kinda like a circle......

Wishing you a beautiful weekend everyone!

X