Nineteen: Receiving

It's funny. Quotes on the blessings of giving are abounding, but quotes on the blessings of receiving, not so much.

Many of us are good givers. We like to help out where and when we can. We find it a blessing to do for others. Giving comes with ease. The Bible talks about giving. Most religious texts talk about the blessings of giving. Lots of people talk and write and live the joy of giving.

Receiving should be easier than giving, right? We always welcome gifts and kind words. Well, usually. Maybe? 

Sometimes a compliment is difficult to accept when we're not feeling so hot about ourselves. Often times help is difficult to receive when we are the most in need, when we are at our most vulnerable. A job is lost, someone gets sick, a car breaks down ... something happens to tip us over the edge from doing ok to being in need.  We try to explain our situation, to validate the person's assistance further, when they are simply trying to help- to do what comes so naturally to us when we are in a position to bless someone with what they require. We feel somehow less than as the recipient. Perhaps we feel judged. 

On the other hand, maybe we find ourselves in line at the grocery store noticing all the "unnecessary" or "overly expensive" items in the cart of the person paying with food stamps or judging the panhandler for not cleaning himself up and getting a job. What does this say about our views on receiving - or on giving for that matter?

There's this...

“Until we can receive with an open heart, we're never really giving with an open heart. When we attach judgment to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgment to giving help.”  Brené Brown

When we receive, we should do so with joy and count ourselves a blessing to the giver. When we experience someone in need of help, we need not judge, instead celebrating the opportunity to give. 

________________________________________

Forty Days In Thought, Word, and Deed