The Law of Giving and Receiving

“The universe operates through dynamic exchange . . . giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe. And in our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives.”  The Chopra Center

Giving and receiving is not just something that we do around the holidays; it is a way of life.  What we give in our lifetime; we will receive.  Giving is a way of being.  I am not talking about material gifts, although that is a way of giving; I’m talking about giving from our hearts.  I’m talking about listening to someone’s pain and sorrow, giving a hug to a friend, family or a stranger.  I’m talking about silently wishing love, peace and happiness to your coworkers, family, friends, the grocery store clerk, the mailman, the garbage collector, and the person standing in line in front of you. 

Receiving from the heart is just as important as giving from the heart.  Receiving can sometimes seem harder than giving.  We should practice receiving with open arms and with gratitude.  Just look around you and receive all that nature has to offer, the snow on the trees, the blue sky, the beautiful butterfly on the flower, the thunder storm, mountains, lakes, the ocean.  Receive the simple things in life, the smile, the hug, children laughing, the smells of the kitchen, and spending time together.  Practice receiving by being present and notice all of the beauty that surrounds you.

Here are three steps from the Chopra Center to practice giving and receiving.

I will put the Law of Giving and Receiving into effect by making a commitment to take the following steps:

1. Wherever I go, and whomever I encounter, I will bring them a gift. The gift may be a compliment, a flower, or a prayer. Today, I will give something to everyone I come into contact with, and so I will begin the process of circulating joy, wealth and affluence in my life and in the lives of others.

2. Today I will gratefully receive all the gifts that life has to offer me. I will receive the gifts of nature: sunlight and the sound of birds singing, or spring showers or the first snow of winter. I will also be open to receiving from others, whether it be in the form of a material gift, money, a compliment or a prayer.

3. I will make a commitment to keep wealth circulating in my life by giving and receiving life’s most precious gifts: the gifts of caring, affection, appreciation and love. Each time I meet someone, I will silently wish them happiness, joy and laughter.

Notice how being mindful of giving and receiving changes your life.

Wishing you a very wonderful Thanksgiving holiday full of giving and receiving love, harmony, and laughter.

Namaste,

Betsy and Jesse

The Power of Gratitude

“Gratitude for the abundance you have received is the best insurance

 that the abundance will continue.”  Muhammad

                In the book The Power by Rhonda Byrne (which by the way is an excellent book to read and live by) she writes about the Key of Gratitude, one of the Keys of Power.

 “The Key of Gratitude states when you are grateful for the things you have, no matter how small they may be, you will receive more of those things.  If you are grateful for the money you have, however little, you will receive more money.  If you are grateful for a relationship, even if it’s not perfect, the relationship will get better.  If you are grateful for the job you have, even if it is not your dream job, you will receive better opportunities in your work. Because gratitude is the great multiplier of life!”

According to Rhonda Byrne, gratitude is the bridge to love.  “It is impossible to feel sad or have any negative feelings when you are grateful.  If you are in the midst of a difficult situation, look for something to be grateful for.  When you find one then look for another and another because gratitude is the bridge from negative feelings to harnessing the force of love.”

The power of gratitude takes practice.  The more you feel gratitude, the more love you give; the more love you give; the more you receive.  So practice gratitude every spare second you can, whether you are driving, walking, cleaning, playing, or working.  Give thanks from your heart for the love, joy, peace, and harmony.  Give thanks for your body, for your health, for your family, for your friends.  Give thanks for your home, food, water, money, and clothing.  Give thanks for the wonder of life, for the fun and excitement, for the sorrow and growth opportunities.  Give thanks for the Universe and its greatness.

Ending today’s blog with a quote from Meister Eckhart “If the only prayer you say in your entire life is – Thank You – that is enough.”

Thank you to all our friends and family.  May we all take our love and gratitude and spread it all around the world to be bring peace, joy and happiness.

Namaste,

Betsy

The Benefits of Gratitude

We continue with the theme of gratitude this week, as we move toward the Thanksgiving Holiday. 

I start today with a big thank you to all the men and women who have served our nation.  Today, as it is Veteran’s Day, I recommend taking some time out of your day to remember those veterans you know and those you never were able to meet.  People who fought hard to keep us safe and bring us freedom.  Those courageous men and women who saw things they cannot forget, and still kept fighting for what was right. 

I stumbled across this wonderful article on Gratitude and studies on its health benefits and ways to show your gratitude.  I recommend everyone take a few minutes out of their day to read this article from Harvard Health Publications, http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/in-praise-of-gratitude.  

The article gives many great ways to cultivate gratitude; writing a thank you note, thanking someone mentally, keeping a gratitude journal, counting your blessings, praying, or meditating.  All of these are simple ways of showing your gratitude.  

By putting your gratitude out into the universe you truly feel happier and more positive, as you look at the amazing bounty that surrounds you and focus in on what matters most.  Finding ways to stay positive and not get stuck in the negative has so many health benefits, and people who tend to show gratitude, tend to have more positive thoughts, which leads to a healthier and happier life.  I found this quote from John F. Kennedy this morning, and thought it appropriate to share today, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”      

I leave you today with a beautiful poem by Gary van Warmerdam.  I used this poem in my Thanksgiving yoga class last year, and it seemed to touch not only me but all of my students as well.  I share it in hopes it moves you too. 

Thank you Life

Thank you for this breath
Thank you for this inhale
Thank you for this exhale
Thank you for this Life

Thank you Heart
Thank you for this pounding
Thank you for this pulsing
Thank you for this Love

Thank you feet
Thank you for this walk
Thank you for this run
Thank you for the Dancing

Thank you Eyes
Thank you for the Sunrise
Thank you for the Sunset
Thank you for all the Colors

Thank you Ears
Thank you for The Music
Thank you for the Rhythm
And Thank you for the Stillness

Thank you Hands
Thank you for the Caressing
Thank you for the Clapping
And Thank you for the Holding

Thank you Mouth
Thank you for the nourishment
Thank you for the Wine
Thank you for the Kisses

Thank you Nose
Thank you for the Flowers
Thank you for the Pines
Thank you for the Sniffles

Thank you Arms and Shoulders
Thank you for the Carrying
Thank you for the Burdening
And Thank you for the Hugging

Thank you Voice
Thank you for the Expression
Thank you for the Word
Thank you for the Gift of Creation

Thank you for this Day
Thank you for the Light
Thank you for the Stars
Thank you for the Night

Thank you Self
Thank you for the Laughter
Thank you for the Play
Thank you for You

Thank you for the Emotions
Thank you for the Joys
Thank you for the Tears and Sorrows
Thank you for the Richness

Thank you for the Abundance that is.
Thank you for the Abundance that is given.
Thank you for the so many experiences and so many things
Thank you for this Dance.

Thank you Life

Namaste, 

Jesse