I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, ‘It’s better to give than receive.’ But how you receive – or resist receiving – not only hurts you, it deprives the giver of their true joy in the exchange. A truer statement is, ‘It’s better to give AND receive.’

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” ~Maya Angelou

Being a grateful and allowing receiver blesses both the giver and receiver. I wonder… how are you receiving?

What comes up when you are given a compliment? Do you brush it off or start self criticizing? What about gifts? Do you feel guilty if you don’t have something for the other person? What about receiving love? Do you consciously or unconsciously feel undeserving of that love in some way?

To accept gratefully, in a way that is fulfilling for both parties, is to let go of the negative thoughts and to turn your awareness to the energy of the exchange taking place… noticing the love, support, or kindness and allowing yourself to accept and enjoy this energetic exchange.

I personally used to be terrible at receiving compliments. I would deflect them and immediately start criticizing myself either internally or verbally. It’s disheartening how we talk to ourselves in ways we never would to a friend or loved one.

Learning to love and accept ourselves is a crucial aspect here. If we don’t love ourselves, we can’t fully give or receive love.

We have also been conditioned to believe it’s better to give than receive, and so we give and give until we are depleted, maybe even resentful. This could also lead to giving from a place of obligation rather than joy. And when you are giving without receiving or giving from a place of guilt or necessity, you are essentially pouring from an empty cup.

So, what’s the solution to gracious and grateful receiving?

It Starts with Being Willing

Once we are aware of our patterns around receiving, we can learn to be a gracious receiver by being willing; willing to love and accept ourself, willing to receive gratefully, willing to enjoy the energetic exchange.

The next time you receive a gift, compliment, or any other blessing from the Universe – oooo, like a random check in mail! – I invite you to close your eyes and smile as you take a deep breath while saying to yourself, ‘I am willing to accept this gift graciously and gratefully!’ …or any other statement of acceptance that resonates with you.

Happy Giving AND Receiving!