Giving and Receiving

Hello Givers and Receivers,

We all give and receive continously.  HOW we give and receive makes all the difference. 

Do you receive gifts in your life with gratitude?  All of us, even in the midst of hard times, can find things to be grateful for.  Do you thank the people who serve you at places of business?  Do you sometimes call the people who serve you by name?  Do you give thanks in your heart to God/ Universe/ Higher Power/ Whatever Name for the gift to be able to live another day when you wake up in the morning?  Do you acknowledge with gratitude the small things your loved ones and friends do for you?  Can you remember some things to be thankful for each evening?

How do you give?  Do you give willingly, cheerfully, joyfully?  Do you give begrudgingly or out of a sense of duty?  How do you do the work you do each day?  Can you make your work a spiritual practice by doing it intentionally, and with excellence and gratitude?  Even if money is tight, can you be thankful for the bills you pay and the groceries you buy?  Even if you have difficult people in your life, can you be grateful for them and for the lessons you can learn?

The more positive energy we put out into the Universe, the more positive things come back to us.  How can we put these things into practice?  For gratitude, how about seeing how many people you can thank in one day or how many big and little things you can thank the Divine for in your heart.  (Thank you for reading my blog, by the way.  May it inspire you!)  For giving, what can you cheerfully give to someone each day?  Can you do that special thing that you've been putting off with your friend, relative, or child?  Can you anonomously give some money or supplies to someone who could use them?  Can you think of a way you can give a stranger an unexpected kindness?

Remember to give and receive with joy and gratitude, and watch the blessings continue to flow to you and from you!
With joy,
Patricia