Believe + Receive
Originally posted January 2016
This month I want to share more about the power in receiving. I am going to be totally transparent in sharing with you that receiving has not previously been one of my strong points. That is, until I realized it was exactly what I was missing, in search of finding my balance.
The act of receiving is to be given, presented with, or paid. We receive all the time don't we? We buy groceries and maybe we receive change. We provide a teaching or offering and we receive praise or acknowledgement for our efforts. It is as if a transaction isn't complete without receiving.
When it is put so simply, doesn't it seem like an easy concept?
At the core of the Dimensions of Wellbeing, is Love. It is the great equalizer and ground on which we want to make all decisions, because every choice is an act of Creation. We believe in a benevolent world. When we keep Love as our focus, all of these wellness ‘to-do’s’ become an act of service to our Highest Good. What’s more, Love is the great multiplier; you can never run out, in fact it expands upon itself. When we are centered, it is easier to know what we need and the more we activate our Intuitive abilities, the greater access we have to this part of ourselves. Love is an actual vibration, one of which we are naturally attuned to if only we can can stay curious and surrender. From this space we tap into transformational healing and awareness of our interconnectedness to all.
Love is our source and constant energy supply; infinite in nature. As one engages in a DLW Lifestyle and infuses each choice with love, all relationships become more connected and reciprocal; the self, family and with community. No choice is too insignificant to infuse with love. For example, when you purchase more conscious products, our land and animals thank you. This impact is multidirectional and can be both passive and active. As you chose with the quality of love, you will be moved to act differently -with more care and reverence for yourself and others.
As you explore the 8 dimensions of wellbeing, our guidance, experiences and education will support you through the various changes, challenges and triumphs life has to offer. We hope this helps you relax and enjoy the journey of your return to wholeness and tapping into your potential. These dimensions cooperate and entangle in ways which contribute to our overall quality of life.
Today I want to share a personal story about learning to receive. I hope my example demonstrates how an inability to receive may be the exact reason you cannot, or do not believe in your dreams. When I embarked on my healing journey, it became clear very quickly of the spiritual connection to dis- ease; including the loss of our dreams, or knowing why we are here. Another contributing factor is one's inability to receive.
The yin yang sign is very symbolic, of which is the lesson of receiving. Yin represents the feminine energy, which is all about receiving and the self. Yang represents the masculine energy, which is expressive and deals with the idea of others (community). Yin energy has been downplayed for hundreds of years, as a type of energy that holds less value or power. In my quest to regain my health (and personal power) I began researching about feminine energy. It wasn't until I started including more of this energy in my own life that I really understand the deep, vibrant power of feminine energy.
We have thought that making the first move determines the victor, the one who is in control. Yet receptivity contains so much power. If you are receiving the move, receiving the energy the other person is sending, receiving body language, and so on...don't you have a much richer, well-rounded view of how to approach a situation/relationship? Receiving is about holding space for what is to come, or what is. It does not mean you wait to be attacked, it simply means you take a 360 view of the situation, not a direct single pointed approach. It also entails tuning into more than logic or what is right in front of you. This is receiving, and man (or woman) is it powerful! Being more receptive means tuning into subtler forms of expression.
Using these feminine qualities, allows me to connect to my clients' needs and energetic field, more than what they are telling me with their words.
I can sense their body language when they are speaking and even when they are not. I can tune into the inflection of their voice and where the voice is coming from (some things we say from our diaphragm others we say from the pit of our stomach). Having a 360 view means that I can call in the information I know...like visual diagnostics, chakra imbalances, nutritional needs, and so on. If I were to approach this same situation from a single point, I would totally miss out on the richness and depth of the person sitting in front of me.
This is profound for me. I have absolved so many arguments and misunderstandings because I can see past what the person is saying. It is not always about being right or wrong. In fact, if you believe a certain way about something...technically you are already right. Our brains literally seek information to prove our beliefs. So there you go, you have two people arguing when really they are just projecting their truths onto each other.
Receiving and receptivity allow us to hold a compassionate space for the others' truth.
It does not mean we bend and give in and change our beliefs. On the contrary, it says 'Although I may not entirely agree, I trust that you feel passionate about what you believe and I want to honor your right to feel what you are feeling.' It is miraculous what happens when we honor another and how they feel. More often than not I have come to a place of resolution about the situation after I held a compassionate space for the other person's feelings. It doesn't always look like I want it to, but it is much more amicable and creates cooperation, a place in the middle.
Now for an even more personal story. I am a giver. I recently have come to terms with my subconscious thought of believing I had to give to be loved. I literally had it ingrained in my head that I could not be loved unless I was giving. What I was missing was receiving. I was not allowing myself to receive Divine Grace that is available for me always, despite what I have or have not brought to the table. This may sound like something of surface value, but it is a key that has unlocked me from the bondage I had placed myself in. This belief came boiling to the surface this Christmas holiday.
My sweet friend had been urging me to go with her to the Bahamas for Christmas and I, of course, declined saying I needed to get a lot of work done. Ha! So ME: go go go, not receive receive receive. She was very understanding and kindly continued to mention it to me. The truth was I couldn't even see how it would be a possibility and I didn't think I deserved to do something of that nature. It did not seem fathomable. So about a week or so before she was planning to leave, she asked me again including the fact that I had a room to stay and a plane ticket with my name on it, and again I declined. Then my other dear friend gave me a nice wake up call. She asked what was wrong with me, why would I not take an opportunity like this one. My work would be waiting and opportunities like this do not come often. So I did it, I went against my crazy need to be on schedule and I called my friend back and said I was going!
My friends, there are no coincidences in life. Opportunities arise from places we never would expect them and it is up to us to receive the blessing. Most of the time, you will not know how it is going to play out, but you trust that in your willing to receive you are also being held in Grace.
My trip to the Bahamas was life changing. It was the representation of receiving, so that I can move closer to my dreams because I receive what I desire.
The entire theme of the trip became about receiving. I was with my amazing friend, her kids, her sister and her family. A group of people that are so loving. It was an honor to receive the energy of being around that type of love. Everyone was always hugging, laughing and expressing their gratitude for one another and the beauty of what we were surrounded by. They also made me feel like part of their family. Always including me, praising me, and laughing out loud together! There were many moments that I just closed my eyes and repeated 'receive' so that I could draw in the entirety of each moment. We met many children on the island that were overjoyed with our presence. Again, receive the love that is being presented (mental note to self). I soaked it all in, I reciprocated with my love for them.
When I left the island I felt fuller than I have in a very long time. I felt as though I had expanded my capacity for joy and for receiving blessings that are already mine.
There are no accidents. No coincidences. As I boarded the plane back to the US, I sat next to a little boy, about 8 and Autistic. This little boy smiled and spoke with me for most of the time. When we landed he got up and kissed me on the cheek.
You see, part of my reasoning for not believing I deserve such freedom, is because my youngest brother is not free. He is Autistic and for a very long time was handled by people who do not understand how to treat Autism. A long time ago, I decided that I would live for my brother. I will be his voice and dedicate my freedom to him. It is no accident that I sat next to an Angel with Autism.
He was my reminder that I was free, that I had done as I was suppose to and received the gift that was presented to me.
This theme played out for me my entire trip even as I made it to Florida. In Florida, I had the pleasure of spending time with my soul sister and her twins. Those children are so divine and were constantly reminding me of my pure heart and inner beauty. It was so ironic as to how difficult it was to accept the innocent love they were giving me. They were showering me in compliments and there was a small voice that told me that couldn't be true. Again I repeated to myself, 'receive, receive, receive'. And I let it be. I received the innocent love they wanted to share with me. It was one of the most beautiful times I have ever had.
Each day since this time I have felt more and more whole. Yesterday I woke up and felt a deep sense of being grounded. I still may not know the full picture, but I receive guidance on a daily basis. In fact, in the not so many days that have passed, I have received more business opportunities than I did in the course of 6 months. I have opened myself to receiving and the blessings are pouring in!
So my friends, I hope that this story has given you more insight into receiving and how you may or may not be allowing yourself to receive.
Where might you have blind spots?
How can you allow for more receiving?
What do you tell yourself when someone compliments you? Or offers you something? Do you immediately decline?
Perhaps spending some time in contemplation with these questions are a good place to start.
I believe in your ability to overcome and transform. Here for you if you need guidance or support.
Sending you many blessings,
