Menu
A lot of people want more abundance in their lives. And yet, when it comes down to actually receiving… well, that’s another matter!
Abundance doesn’t always show up as money. It can show up as a smile from a stranger, a hug from a friend, or someone making you a pot of chicken soup when you’re sick. If it’s difficult to receive those things, those little abundances and signs that the universe wants to support you… then you might also find it hard to receive the bigger stuff. Because it’s all connected.
I totally get how it can be hard to receive. I’m often much more inclined to focus on how I can be of service to others, and see that as my main path to abundance. Over the years I’ve come to realise that I have to also practice self-care in order to keep my own tank full. But you know what? That’s not completely ‘receiving’ either. That’s just stopping for a minute, refuelling and heading back out into the give more, more, more fray.
Women in particular – I feel we’ve been conditioned into this ‘giving mode’.
Lately I’m starting to really get how unbalanced this approach is. Lately, I’m seeing how important it is to activate the ‘receiving mode’ as well if you want a truly abundant life.
This past week or so I got to have a deeper experience of receiving than I’ve had in years. I had a minor surgery (nothing to worry about) which meant that I was out of action for about a week. Like, really out of action.
I needed someone to cook for me. I needed help showering. I needed help getting out of my chair. I needed help keeping track of my medications. I needed everything done for me pretty much. It was very humbling. But it was also amazing because I had to receive without giving back. Just receive.
My sister came to help me out for the first 5 days of my recovery and looked after my every need. Then a roster of friends brought me meals, spent time with me, and helped me get to my follow up appointments. I got amazing care from the doctors and nurses who looked after me too. And of course, I’m so grateful for all that support and to have access to good medical care.
The whole experience was harder than I thought it would be, though. The helplessness and vulnerability was confronting… and I felt embarrassed needing to ask for so much help. But then I realised something wonderful: every single person who helped me was more than glad to do so. In fact, they were really happy to give me the support I needed. HAPPY!
Also, in my vulnerability, those people got to see a side of me that I guess I rarely show. We had some beautiful moments of bonding. I didn’t have my shit together in any way, and think they kind of loved me all the more for it!
So now I’m sitting in a space of deep gratitude and wonder at the beauty of simply receiving. My ‘receiving mode’ was well and truly activated this week, and all I can say to everyone involved is a huge THANK YOU! My cup of received abundance feels very full right now.
As always, let me know in the comments if this post has helped you in any way…
To YOUR Abundance,
Julie Ann Cairns
