Tis the Season to be Grateful: are you expressing your gratitude intentionally or in a more haphazard way?
Let’s tune into Grace, Gratitude and Giving
I have had an active gratitude practice for years. Although I don’t journal gratitude daily right now, I definitely know the power of paying attention and speaking thankfulness into the world whether that means aloud to people or via writing – on social media, on my blog or in engaging with others.
I wasn’t always a fan of gratitude until I had an a-ha moment and connected gratitude to receiving. Because of this connection, the relationship between gratitude and abundance came more clear.
The not-so-true “It is better to give than receive” myth
How often have you heard (and possibly repeated) the phrase, “It is better to give than receive”?
Giving is a blessing – especially when mindful -is an important practice. This may be in stuff, it may be in a compliment, it may be in presence and time. My love language is quality time so the best people can do for me is to simply be with me. Deep and meaningful conversations are among my favorite activities.
The problem is, if everyone is giving, who is open to receive from our wellspring of giving?
Introducing the Infinite Loop de Loop
Our giving, when conscious, comes from the gifts of who we are – and how our gifts offer goodness and light to fellow members of the human community is started from divinity, our creator, God, the Universe.
We can complete that process by receiving with an open heart and a wildly-in-wonder smile on our face.
When we receive, we finish and spiral to the next level of what was divinely started.
This infinite loop de loop continues over and over and over again and is stopped when… someone decides giving is the thing, receiving is not the thing – and (sometimes or) we decide we aren’t worthy to receive.
Is this starting to sound familiar?
Blocks of all kinds start with the inability to receive.
Most often the inability to receive is based on our opinion and judgment of ourself. We are not worthy of receiving, we are not good enough, we are somehow “less than” others and therefore need to continue giving even when our well is running very close to dry.
I confess, I have come in and out of blocks many times, most often based on my inability to receive.
The way through the block is to receive with active gratitude.
Inhale and fully receive what has been given to you. In fact, when you breathe in, you are receiving life-giving oxygen.
Bring that oxygen into your lungs and feel the energy of breath – of inspiration – fill your body.
When you exhale, you are giving breath back to the world.
Sometimes I create a vision of my exhale expanding upon the gifts I have received by offering what I know, what I love, what I am coming to understand. I can see the breath of inspiration swirling around me and reaching out to others who are also open to receive.
With every mindful inhale and exhale, I am adding to the increase of abundance in my life and I am adding to the increase of abundance in other people’s lives.
That, my friends, is beyond words amazing. Before you click away, practice breathing like this.
It feels so good!
Julie JordanScott is a multipassionate creative who delights in inviting others into their own fullhearted. artistic experience via her creativity coaching individually or in groups, courses and workshops. To receive inspiring content and videos weekly and find out more about Coaching, Courses, Challenges and what’s going on in the Creative Life Midwife world? Subscribe here:
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Tamara says
Interesting thoughts. You sound so “centered”.
Later today I post about *not* being grateful, and I had the hardest time coming up with content… (I was given this prompt.)
Happy Friday!
Dominique Walton Brooks says
That’s something I hadn’t thought about before — if everyone is giving, no one is receiving! I will have to think about that — intriguing post! Thank you for sharing!
Debi says
My husband says we should always have our hands open to give and to receive. If we hold too tightly on to something and don’t want to let it go, we close ourselves off from receiving as well. I hadn’t thought about how this applies to your point of giving and receiving gratitude.
Great post—you’ve made us all think.
Blessings (I hope you’ll receive them 🥰)
Debi 🍁🍃🍂
jjscreativelifemidwife says
You married a wise man! Today I am scheduled to receive a blessing (and partially BE a blessing.) It is so important to keep the flow going –
Cindy says
Inhale/exhale-aaah!
jjscreativelifemidwife says
LOL yes yes yes! inhale/exhale – ahhhh!
Kate Loving Shenk says
I also think I must be grateful for the rocky times as well as when life is running smoothly. It’s all a gift and a learning.
jjscreativelifemidwife says
It absolutely is a gift and a learning. Thank you for your comment!
Jeanine Byers says
“I create a vision of my exhale expanding upon the gifts I have received by offering what I know, what I love, what I am coming to understand. ”
That was really wonderful, Julie!! I could feel it as I tried it. Thanks!
Roy A Ackerman, PhD EA says
I much prefer to be on the giving end than the receiving one.
jjscreativelifemidwife says
Receiving can be quite a learning (and comfort) curve. I am a natural giver and an uncomfortable receiver myself. Practice… has made progress.
Martha says
I’m like Paul, I much rather give than recieve. My granddaughter is the same way, she is such a giving person.
jjscreativelifemidwife says
I can’t remember who Paul’s audience was for that letter… I wonder the context and what they were going through? I agree, generosity is important – and if we don’t learn the value of receiving… eventually the giver can no longer give.
Samantha T says
Wow, very interesting I had never thought of it this way. I also loved what you said – if everyone is giving, no one is receiving. I think that is so true. We are all here to help each other and sometimes we need the help and kindness of others. You shouldn’t always be a giver or a receiver. Loke most things in life, we need balance. Thanks for sharing.
jjscreativelifemidwife says
YES! How is your receiving practice going? Do you see any changes yet?