Opening to Opportunity
How good a receiver are you? Many people are wonderful at giving, but not so adept of receiving. You need to be a good receiver to work with the Law of Attraction to create what you want in life. Think about the messages you might have heard growing up about giving and receiving. “It's better to give than receive” is an often-quoted phrase from the Bible. The phrase was specific to tithing, to giving what was needed to those institutions that provided spiritual support and sustenance. As with all things, giving and receiving is an exchange of energies. In fact, giving and receiving are the same energy.
Try this exercise.
Draw a straight line on a piece of paper. Place an arrow pointing away from the line at either end. At the right end, write the word giving, and at the left end, write the word receiving. Assume that the midpoint of the line would be the point of true reciprocity, where giving and receiving come into balance. Think about where you are on that line. Are you usually giving or is your giving-and-receiving scale balanced?
You can also think of giving and receiving as a circle. As you move along the rim of the circle you are giving out energy, yet energy from elsewhere is moving around the circle and being offered to you. Do you have your back to the energy being offered? Or are you aware of the cycle of giving and receiving? Are you receptive to what is coming your way?
Your beliefs about giving and receiving may have a lot to do with childhood teachings in your family. Many people hold the false belief that it is their role to give of themselves, rather than be given to by others. In truth, giving and receiving complete a wholeness of aspects that are meant to be in balance in your life.
Opening to receiving means you are learning to be open to the opportunities the universe has been waiting to give you. Once you initiate your co-creative energy through your intention and desire, the Law of Attraction begins to work. Opportunities to move you along the path of manifestation start to come your way in the form of people, new job prospects, unexpected gifts, and even new financial abundance.
Look at your patterns of giving. Are you giving your time, energy, resources, or material possessions for reasons other than a spontaneous impulse of generosity of spirit? If so, you might be tied into self-limiting beliefs about the need to please and conform. When you give for the wrong reasons (out of a sense of obligation, because it is expected, when you feel you cannot say no, or to manipulate how others feel about you) you may become resentful. It's important to figure out your primary motivation for giving. Are you always the one who raises her hand to volunteer? If you have learned that this is the way you manipulate other people to love you, you are struggling with limiting beliefs of unworthiness. If you give so you won't ever need anything from anyone else and can't be hurt by others, then you hold the self-limiting belief that vulnerability and openness equate with weakness. Think about what you are afraid to give, and you will uncover more limiting beliefs that need to be transformed.
When you understand patterns of giving you can truly receive the wonderful opportunities the universe has for you. When you over-give you underreceive. If you want to strengthen your capacity for receiving, try asking for help. Admit a mistake. Let others know you are emotionally vulnerable and need their support. Fear of rejection or hurt can block your ability to receive; so can fear of being obligated to another person.
If you are fixed on trying to control the outcome, you are not letting things come to you. Instead, you are busy figuring out the universe's job in addition to your own. When you are doing the universe's job, it is the same as saying “no, this is not what I expected,” or “no, this is not how it should happen.”
Feelings of unworthiness or fear of disappointment can also block your ability to receive. If you unconsciously expect disappointment, that expectation will be met. To become a good receiver, do not take things personally when aspects of what you want don't materialize. Instead, think of the universe as a giant playground where you are practicing and playing with energy — “Oh, look what happened in that case.” Looking at the process in a playful way helps shift this pattern of unworthiness and disappointment.
Begin putting your wishes out there in a more playful way. Start with things that aren't emotionally loaded. See it as a process of refinement until your vibration matches what the universe is waiting to offer you. Desired results become just a matter of timing as you grow into heartfelt resonance. Trust yourself and trust the universe.
One way you can improve your vibration of receptivity is through self-care. Do nice things for yourself. Treat yourself with kindness and respect. When you do so, you give the universe a message that other people can also give to you, and that you deserve it. To better open to opportunity, practice these rules of giving and receiving.
Only give what you can; don't deplete yourself.
Give whatever makes you feel joyful to give, and when you feel spontaneously motivated to do so.
Give without expectation of getting a response or something in return.
Give with a loving heart.
Practice asking others for help. When you are offered assistance, accept graciously and with gratitude.
Receive without any sense of obligation. Just experience what it feels like to not have to respond in kind.
If you are offered something and you really don't want it, decline with love. You will start to develop healthy boundaries and send a message to the universe that you are grateful but are refining your desire.
Receive self-care by nurturing yourself, which lets the universe know you are worthy of all good things.
Express gratitude for all opportunities that come your way. As you do so, you open yourself to receive more and more opportunities, until you have exactly what you want. Expect opportunities to show up and be open to all types of opportunities. The universe can come up with infinitely better ways to fulfill your dreams than you ever could.
