Being Receptive

Toronto-Downtown-Chiropractor-Chiropractic-EvidenceWow!

I have been so overwhelmed by recent testimonials that have been shared with me.  Little notes, messages, emails, and hand-written notes have come my way.  Why?  I really don’t know.  It must be time for me to receive.  Think about that for a moment.  What does it mean to receive with open arms?

The first thing that comes to mind, is posturing.  You look a certain way when you are receiving, don’t you?  Without sounding too redundant, you are receptive.  You are vulnerable.  I mean, someone could easily punch you in the gut while you are open!  I think that there are many of us who have experienced a punch when we were expecting a hug.  That moment left an impression on us that causes us to not trust a second time and receiving becomes much more difficult.  We are suspicious.  We act like New Yorkers!

I have not always been able to receive.  My reason was not from getting beaten down by others words.  My reason was, quite simply, pride.  I didn’t want to be dependent on others.  I thought that if I accepted something from others, I was not able to “do” life on my own.  How warped is that?  What I was doing, was denying others the joy of giving to me, and the joy of accepting other’s gifts in my life.  I would go out of my way to help others.  Sometimes to extraordinary lengths!  I felt compelled to take such actions.  Then flat out reject others gifts to me. That is borderline insanity!  I would not say “thank you” and accept it.  I would tell them that I was not worthy of their gift.  That was some form of false humility.  In my heart, I wanted to receive their gifts so much.  I wanted to experience the joy and love that comes from receiving.  But, I would not let myself.  Thankfully, I have changed.  I now am able to open my arms and accept.

I am free to be blessed by others as well as to be a blessing to others.  That is such a better place to be, isn’t it?  I now find peace in being vulnerable.  I now am able to put aside my selfish pride and have grace in my life.  (Most of the time!)  No matter where you are at in your life’s journey, I hope that you are able to accept blessings and be receptive.  If you are a mom with kids swarming you all day long, may those precious hugs mean something powerful to you.  If you are much older and find friends scarce in your life, may your behavior shift and open up to allow others in.  When that void begins to fill, have fun and live.  If you are young and single and find it hard to trust others because of past relationships, be it parents, friends, or lovers who have hurt you, change your expectations of people.  Look for new relationships from people that are willing to pour into your life without demanding you sacrifice your integrity.  The stage in your life doesn’t really matter.  Learning to receive is vital for fullness in our human existence.

Receiving is also requisite for a relationship with God.  Without the ability to receive love, acceptance, grace, mercy, peace, and salvation from God, you are left with one of two options in your view of a supreme being.  One is a judgmental dictator who casts an up or down vote based on your performance.  Life is a vicious cycle of karmic justice.  The most damning part of this view is that you are never good enough, so the burden is always growing on your shoulders and you are not strong enough to carry it; no matter how hard you try.  The second possible view is of some maker that simply put the world in existence and walked away.  There is no affection or love for what has been created, including you.  This creates a sense of isolation, loneliness, and fatalism.  The purpose of living is shallow and temporary.  Why “be”, when it doesn’t make a difference?

Of course, there is the possibility that you don’t believe in God.  I have a very good friend who is a devout atheist.  He is a really great guy and has a heart of gold.  One day I asked him an odd question.  It was simple and straightforward.  “Why do “good” acts?” The question threw him off a bit.  He asked me to explain. I then asked him, “Why be kind?  Why show others love?   Simple evolutionary processes would not create right or wrong.  If there is no absolute power or authority, why do we have a sense of good or bad?”  He didn’t have an answer.  We have talked about this several times since and he still cannot explain it.  There are some of you reading this who may share his opinion.  My cautionary advice is not to let your faith in the absence of God, harden your heart to others.

We are all capable of recklessly or unconsciously avoiding blessings from others.  My hope is that you will become great at receiving grace, gifts, and love from others.  You can be assured of this, I think you are amazing.  I think you are priceless.  It doesn’t matter if I know you well or have never met you.  I hold you in the highest regard and always will.

If you have questions or comments about this topic, send it to me.  I really do want to hear from you.

Don’t forget about registering for next summer’s Chiro Camp. Beginning October 28th, you can register and read more at www.drchadhawk.com/chirocamp

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