Receiving Love and Abundance

Over the preceding weeks I have been challenged with finding balance (haven't we all?) in all aspects of my life. Listening to Naisha Ahsian www.naisha.com and her reading for the month of October I discovered a truth. The truth is one I have never considered until now. Very simply, we cannot exhale unless we first inhale. Does that sound a bit cryptic when referring to balance?

The teaching revolved around joy and gratitude, and how the two were a balance of each 

other. Gratitude is similar to exhalation, and joy to inhalation. In order to be grateful and experience gratitude, we must first bathe in the joy of receiving... And then the Universe thought it would test my learning.

 Last week my husband and I were blessed with the presence of some members of our spiritual family. They are in South Africa to attend a retreat and these dear people spent some time in our home. Hugh and I recently moved into our new house and our friends arrived with boxes of gifts for our space. I was surprised and my initial response  (in my mind) was that I couldn’t possibly accept all these beautiful items. I paused and chose to embrace their generosity. Wow! I have an entire crockery set, with extras for serving, wine glasses, trinkets, place settings, the list goes on. All of these are perfect for my new home.

Later that day one of my friends commented on how special the energy is in my practice, and how he can appreciate and see the dedication that my team have to their patients. The first response (again in my mind) was to mentally shrug it off with a comment like, “Doesn’t this happen everywhere?” Instead, I paused. I inhaled. In that moment I made another choice. I chose to accept this genuine observation and compliment, as well as the role I have played in its creation. After a split second I looked up and said, “Thank you.”

 In both moments I chose to receive. Thereafter, I experienced the joy of generosity and love shared. For the rest of the week I have been showered with abundance. I wrote to my family on our WhatsApp group.

“I chose a different path yesterday. I decided to receive. The part that each of you has played as I learn to do this is not to be underestimated. It is enormous. It has always been easy for me to give, often in my life to the point of depletion. Now, I must receive blessings, love, gifts and joy to enable me to give in balance. Thank you from the depths of my heart.”

Remember to breathe, inhale and exhale, and then to receive. The rest will follow.

Abundance

Following on from my ‘Aspirations’ blog; a number of thoughts enter my mind and a few lessons have been learned.

What is abundance, and what does it have to do with aspiring to greatness?

When I embarked on this journey of discovery one of the first teachings I came across was “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne. “The Secret” taught me about the universal law of manifestation (another topic altogether) and that the Universe is abundant: abundant enough to see to all my needs and beyond, and that I have a right to participate in and enjoy this abundance.

Recently, I learned that in order to ‘claim’ my share of abundance, I must embrace myself and live fully in all my beauty and glory. This resonates with me. If I do not step up and be everything I can be in this world, then I am not fulfilling my role in the Universe. If I am living ‘small’ and not owning and using my talents then what contribution am I making to this abundant Universe. Nothing! And so I have no right to its abundance.

So, I ask again, “Do you aspire to greatness?”

I most certainly do! I am participating 100% in my abundant life!

“You know what breaks me? When someone is visibly excited about a feeling or idea or a hope or a risk taken, and they tell you about it but preface it with: ‘Sorry, this is dumb but – ‘.

Don’t do that.

I don’t know who came here before me, who conditioned you to think you had to apologise or feel obtuse. But not here. DREAM so big it’s silly. LAUGH so hard it’s obnoxious. LOVE so much it’s impossible.

And don’t you ever feel unintelligent. And don’t you ever apologise. And don’t you ever shrink so you can squeeze yourself into small places and small minds.

GROW. It’s a big world. There’s room. You fit. I promise.”

-       Owen Lindley