Are You Receptive?

"Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are."

-Malcolm S. Forbes

For the last 4 weeks we have been looking at success and abundance from the perspective of the engaging story in the book, The Go Giver. Each of the themes and laws outlined in the preceding lessons invited us to become a giver to life - a message that contradicts the logic of the surface mind that tells us that is through getting we receive.

Now in week five, we take a final look at the paradox to understand the important role of being a receiver in this flow of abundance and success. This is trickier than it appears. Like an advanced yoga posture, holding a posture of receptivity is easier said than done.

While we may readily notice where we are blocked in our giving, it may take a deeper look to see how we are blocked in receiving. At first thought, we may think we are more than willing to receive; that our arms are wide open to graciously accept any windfall of good and plenty the universe sees fit to bestow upon us. But is that really true?

There are plenty of messages (many from religious teachings) that exalt the giver, and devalue the receiver. We've heard it said that it is better to give than receive. We've heard the proverbs and adages that denigrate the rich, equate wealth with immorality, and the like. We've been told we are sinners and not worthy of good, that only by the grace of God we are saved from our deservedly lowly condition. Though many of us no longer hold that view philosophically, there are likely shreds of unworthiness that linger in our consciousness and deflect the good that might come to us.