On a child's smile at breakfast.
Children love to give and if they begin to not give, that is a reflection of the attitudes they see in adults. How often, I wonder, do adults practice generosity, and yet practice it conditionally. How often is there an expectation of "receiving back" from a person to whom we gave. How much energy is squandered in becoming angry or resentful if that same person, under our unspoken expectations, doesn't reciprocate. How much do adults radiate their own fears of lack and of scarcity and the Ego's need to possess and to hold. And how little, I wonder, do people fail to realize how much this defeats the spirit of giving.
It is so easy for children to trust in the natural flow of energy, and to practice generosity with no strings attached. They live, as part of their being, the purest form of giving. They seem to have no need to 'remember' that what you send out will always come back you. They live so free of the stress created by giving conditionally (because giving such always leaves one waiting with an invisible balance sheet to receive one's 'due') and just seem to accept on an innate level that giving unconditionally creates and generates abundance.
When we give freely, it is because we trust that there is always an unlimited supply.
I believe that being aware of how much we are always supported by the universe is one of the keys to abundance and generosity. Consciously remember the times you've received support from expected and unexpected sources. Remember anyone who has helped you when you've needed it most, and bless all situations that come into your life for the lessons and gifts they bring you.
And I believe this holds true for Receiving as well as for Giving. Because again, unlike children, adults tend to receive with such a lack of graciousness. Perhaps out of pride, and the belief that we do not need help, or charity or support. How simple it is to realize that these are all just ego reactions and that they are completely unnecessary if you are able to see that the giver is never the giver and that the receiver is never the receiver. Both are stand ins for Spirit.
Remember that all things given and received emanate from generosity and from gratitude. Giving is an act of gratitude. Receiving is an act of gratitude. And any person at any age must feel grateful in order to show gratitude. However overwhelmed one may be by other activities and thoughts and concerns, it is important to be aware that life is a gift. And from that gratitude extends all others.
It is so easy for children to trust in the natural flow of energy, and to practice generosity with no strings attached. They live, as part of their being, the purest form of giving. They seem to have no need to 'remember' that what you send out will always come back you. They live so free of the stress created by giving conditionally (because giving such always leaves one waiting with an invisible balance sheet to receive one's 'due') and just seem to accept on an innate level that giving unconditionally creates and generates abundance.
When we give freely, it is because we trust that there is always an unlimited supply.
I believe that being aware of how much we are always supported by the universe is one of the keys to abundance and generosity. Consciously remember the times you've received support from expected and unexpected sources. Remember anyone who has helped you when you've needed it most, and bless all situations that come into your life for the lessons and gifts they bring you.
And I believe this holds true for Receiving as well as for Giving. Because again, unlike children, adults tend to receive with such a lack of graciousness. Perhaps out of pride, and the belief that we do not need help, or charity or support. How simple it is to realize that these are all just ego reactions and that they are completely unnecessary if you are able to see that the giver is never the giver and that the receiver is never the receiver. Both are stand ins for Spirit.
Remember that all things given and received emanate from generosity and from gratitude. Giving is an act of gratitude. Receiving is an act of gratitude. And any person at any age must feel grateful in order to show gratitude. However overwhelmed one may be by other activities and thoughts and concerns, it is important to be aware that life is a gift. And from that gratitude extends all others.
posted by Ladarna Daorsa at 9/29/2005
1 Comments:
Gracious reception is something I've never been able to grasp. I give as a matter of course, but accepting doesn't seem to be within my self-identity. I try to be conscious of that & make efforts to overcome the lack, but it's awkward & like many social skills, wasn't modeled for me.
What I can do without compunction, is take what I need from the universe, and I am moved to gratitude by the excess of what it has given, but still sometimes I would refuse & despair of being worthy. But that would be a poor return, so I muddle along & try to appreciate as much as possible.
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