In this season of giving. . . I want to say, it’s cool to receive as well.

So much of our lives we give and give and give - and there is definitely plenty of opportunity to exercise this muscle: as sisters, as volunteers, as mothers, as community members, as caregivers, as nurturers, as employees, as managers, as service providers, as compassionate people, as wives, as someone who simply empathizes.

And as the holidays approach, most of you will be organizing parties, planning the gifts, coordinating the menus and giving more of your time and energy. It is fun. It is exciting. It is something you enjoy. It is an expression of your love.

But believe me when I say this - Others enjoy giving as well. . . and I’ll bet they’d love to give to YOU.

For some people, receiving is harder to do than giving.
Part of the reason is because “receiving” is associated with “taking,” ie the phrase give and take. Over time, “taking” has developed a negative connotation and in looking at the definition, I can see why:

“take - to seize or capture physically; to catch or attack through the effect of a sudden force or influence; to obtain or secure for use.”

It’s not a very friendly verb is it. When you take something, you’re seizing something by force.

In contrast we look at “receiving”:

receive - to come into possession of: ACQUIRE; to permit to enter: ADMIT: WELCOME, GREET

When you receive something, you’re allowing something (hopefully something positive) to enter your life.

Based on that, “receiving” is the natural counterpart to “giving.”
In fact, giving would scarcely exist without receiving.

So as you prepare for your fiesta of thanks, allow others to give . . .
Potlucks are cool.
Family members helping to set up is cool.
Friends helping to clean up is cool.
Children organizing entertainment. . is way cool.

So make OTHERS happy and allow them to give to you. . . and receive with grace and thanks, as is the spirit of the holiday.

Have a wonderful Holiday weekend!

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan