Last week, my mother came to stay with me after having an emergency appendectomy. It was a joy to be able to pamper her. Mom's graciousness in receiving my care taught me important lessons about the healing power of skillful receiving. She, who is always the caretaker of others, softened into the pleasure of being cared for, responded with heartfelt appreciation and deeply opened to my love and attention. It is so fun to do for someone who receives so well! Many of us find it much more difficult to receive than to give. We may not feel worthy of receiving, we may feel that we are more valuable when we do for others than when we let others do for us. We may just be out of the habit of receiving. We block the gifts that flow to us and then wonder why we feel so depleted and hungry. In addition to being a vital part of any self-care program, receiving well is also a gift to the people around you. When you let in the love, caring and healing you keep the energy flowing and everyone feels better. Begin to receive more, by noticing, ever so kindly. Just begin to notice your receiving habits with great kindness and care for yourself. How well do you let yourself receive breath, compliments, kindness, beauty, prosperity, appreciation, miracles, guidance, love and nourishment? Are you able to choose how and when to receive? How do you feel in your body when you open to receiving... and when you block receiving? What are your thoughts, beliefs and stories about receiving? When you want to receive more, what little shifts can you make to be more receptive? You get lots of chances to practice receiving every day. The world is full of blessings. Here are a few opportunities for strengthening your receiving powers. Let Yourself Receive: 1. The Healing Beauty of Nature. Wherever you are, nature is nearby, generously extending her healing gifts to you. Go outside and breathe in the trees, birds, sky, the gifts of rain or snow or sunshine. Even looking out the window with soft receptive eyes you can open to the ever-changing beauty. 2. Breath. Here's one simple way to open up more to breath, the ever-present, flowing-gift-of-life. ESSE Breath: Easy...Soft...Simple ...Enjoyable Easily let the breath flow in and out. Soften your body around the breath. Simply allow the breath to flow, no need to rush, no need to force. Enjoy the body sensations of the breath flowing freely. 3. Compliments. When someone gives you a compliment, take a breath, feel your body and your emotions, smile and say, "Thank you." Let it all the way in. Let yourself be nourished by it. 4. Universal Chi. In Chi Kung we learn that within and all around us is Chi, Universal Life Energy. This healing energy flows through mountains and rivers and forests and moves all the creatures of the world. By allowing and opening to it, you can receive healing Chi through your breath, your eyes, your skin and your thoughts. Breathing in: receive the great goodness of the world. Breathing out: release whatever is no longer needed. 5. Little Miracles. Little miracles happen all the time. Unexpected kindnesses, spectacular sunsets, Venus shining right beside the crescent moon, unexplained coincidences, people and experiences that lift our souls -- little ordinary things can delight and inspire us, when we let them in. Or we can pass them by or shrug them off. Open up your noticing, take these into your soul and celebrate the magic of your life. 6. Nourishment. Whenever you prepare, serve and eat food, turn up your appreciation dial and fully experience the taste, beauty, color and texture of your food. Enjoy! Celebrate! Imagine the food nourishing your cells and your soul. What other forms of nourishment can you open up to with more celebration and enjoyment? Friendship, entertainment, ideas, dreams...you have unlimited opportunities to be nourished by life. 7. Divine Guidance, Inspiration and Love. Why do life all by your little self? Divine guidance, inspiration, love, comfort, healing and abundance are available to you at all times. In whatever form and by whatever name you call it, let your whole being open and receive it. Opening to Receiving is a way of being that will help you live with greater ease, enjoyment, health and vitality. And like all true Self Care, it feels great and is a gift to those you love!
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