What kind of receiver are you? If you’re reading this, chances are you consider yourself a giver of sorts. You might even beat yourself up a little bit for thinking you don’t give enough. Then again, there are those who think they’re givers but really aren’t. These complicated feelings around giving and receiving all link back to worthiness.
Finding Worthiness in Receiving
The fact of the matter is, giving is not strictly ‘good,’ and receiving is not strictly ‘selfish.’ However, we as a culture do tend to focus on giving as “goodness.” We are obsessed with the idea of giving as a culture, but we rarely ask what kind of receiver we are. Do you take compliments bashfully? Are you quick to downplay or deny the compliment? Do you tell them to stop teasing you, or that you weren’t fishing for a compliment? These habits are all linked to our perception of worthiness, and they can impact us in big ways in business and finances.
Worthiness and Achieving Success
One of the big reasons most people don’t reach their full potential, financially or otherwise, is that they are very, very poor receivers. They believe they’re not worthy because of the way they look. Or they believe they don’t deserve a future because of what they do or how much money they have.
However, that’s not true. You’re worthy because the Great Spirit — or Universe, or God, or whatever you want to call a higher power — has put you on the earth at this time. There’s nothing else to think about! Since you’re as worthy as the next person, you’re as deserving to receive as anyone else. Anything else that your mind says around that is made up, non-supportive crappola!
The Worth of Receiving
Adding to these thoughts, there’s a popular phrase that a lot of people heard when they were young. In fact, we still hear it! “It’s better to give than to receive.” Of course it is, isn’t it?
I’m sorry, but let’s just call that what it is: bad math! If both have to be there for the other to exist, how on earth could one be better than the other? How is that possible? Somebody enlighten me please!
In actuality, that ‘better to give’ statement actually has a completely different, more accurate, translation. It says, ‘It’s better to be in a position to give than in a position where you need to receive’.
In other words it’s better to be rich! Some people will read that and get that little twinge of guilt — How can I so selfishly justify wanting to be rich? Fine, I understand, I was there too, so let’s try this from another angle.
How does it feel to give, especially when that person didn’t ask you for anything yet you knew they were in need? Most people say it feels great, yes? Additionally, grateful receivers make us feel even better about our giving, yes?
But if you’re not willing to receive, you’re ripping off those people from the other side of the equation. Those people want to give, and they want to witness your joy at receiving. They prove that both giving and receiving are great.
Applying It to Your Life
So here’s your practice: No more returning compliments for an allotted time! If someone gives you a compliment, you’re not allowed to give them a compliment at that time. Doing so, when it comes from a place of bashfulness or shame, dishonors them. Returning a compliment because you think you have to robs them of the full joy of giving you the compliment. And it robs you of receiving.
The key is to recognize that whether you’re “worthy” or not is just a feeling, not a fact. It’s a story that you made up and now you own. Disown that! Receive with the same joy that you give.
Now it’s your turn — we want to hear your thoughts and feelings. Do you think you’re a better giver or receiver? Do you have a hard time receiving compliments? How about giving them? Your feedback is very valuable so make sure to leave a comment and start a conversation with others in our community!
For your freedom,
Are you ready to internalize what we learned here today and receive even more greatness into your life? Success? Inner peace? Amazing health? Fabulous relationships? If so, join me on one of my upcoming web classes, “Don’t Believe A Thought You Think,” where you’ll learn exactly how to have all the success, inner peace, health, relationships, etc. that you want and deserve.
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I realised that more i give..more i receive
..i finally find the balance between giving and receaving..
Normalmente me acostumbré más a dar que en recibir, claro que cuando vienen los elogios estos son bien recibidos. La idea esta en encontrar el equilibrio y poco a poco aprender a ser un gran receptor =)
I truly feel that I give and receive compliments very well although I could probably work a little on the receiving part of the equation. I always try to encourage other people to feel joy in their lives and really like it when they share how they are feeling in return. I try to encourage everyone to smile as I find this to be a very positive emotion and I tell them it will improve their day too. I sometimes even get them coming back with a smile later in the day. That really makes me feel like I helped them.