Do you ever feel like the Universe is sending you a message?
I have certainly felt that of late. The message that I'm sensing is one of receptivity. Let me tell you where this message has come from...
I started an Instagram Intensive course a few weeks back focused on growing your business on Instagram. (If you're interested, check it out here.) You may be wondering, what on Earth does this have to do with receptivity.
She recommended reading a book called The Go-Giver. It's a fictional book rooted in five key principles of success. The last of these principles is The Law of Receptivity. As I read through this last law, I noticed something within myself.
I have a resistance to receiving.
I feel very comfortable giving: giving my energy to others, helping others, figuring things out, etc. I am in my comfort zone when I'm exerting energy out into the world.
As I really reflected on this principle, I sensed a fear within myself around receiving. I noticed beliefs popping up such as, "I have to work hard to be worthy of receiving anything," "What if I get what I want? Then what? No more seeking? That's scary!", or "I don't know how to feel comfortable receiving."
I made it an intention to practice receiving, which for me, meant starting small.
I have begun taking moments through my day to receive through the breath, my food, care from others, and my senses.
With my breath, I focus on the inhale, receiving fresh air into my body.
With food, I intentionally receive the nutrients in my food, allowing my body to be supported by food.
Whenever I notice someone caring for me or offering love, I pause and really take it in.
I try to receive beautiful colors through my eyes, sounds through my ears, and sensations on my skin.
These are small moments, but they add up over time.
A Recent Interview with Eric Moya, CST, of The Association for Bodymindspirit Therapy
Eric asked me how I have navigated the balance of being and doing along my healing path. He referenced the word "biorhythm," which is the natural ebb and flow of our lives.
This biorhythm involves times of doing, engaging, and action, which is what some may refer to as "masculine" energy. It also includes times of being, receiving, surrendering, and resting, which may be referred to as "feminine" energy. How do we know when to engage with action and when to step back, receive, and let be?
In my own journey, I spent most of my life engaging and doing, and I didn't really know how to allow the natural biorhythm of rest, receptivity, and surrender to bring balance to my action. This resulted in burnout and chronic illness and forced me into a state of being.
If you have read Gabor Mate's book, When the Body Says No, you know what I'm talking about. My body finally said no. I still struggle listening to the NO, but, if nothing else, I can now see the pattern and bring a little bit of compassion to my inner world.
As I have practiced (notice I said "practiced" and not "perfected!") mindfulness, self-compassion, and loving-kindness, I notice when my body is telling me to settle into a space of receptivity. I'm coming to see things like depression, overwhelm, exhaustion, worsening of my health symptoms, and disconnection as signs from my bodymindspirit that I am out of balance and need to open with receptivity to the support that is available in every passing moment (i.e. the practices above through the breath, senses, etc.). As I listen to my body, it's very good at telling me when I'm doing too much, and to restore the balance in my biorhythm, I am in need of receiving.
Do you feel balanced? If so, how do you know? If not, how do you know?
Take a moment to write, reflect, or talk about your answers. There is absolutely no judgment one way or another.
Notice what comes up for you, and if you feel comfortable, please email your thoughts, questions, and reflections to theresa@fit-intuit.com. My inbox is ALWAYS open to you.
Here Are a Few Gifts For You
Please enjoy a short talk and guided meditation practice on receptivity and how to find this balance of giving and receiving.
Listen here.
Years ago, I recorded an informal discussion on ways to take in the good, i.e. receiving goodness, using Rick Hanson's H.E.A.L practice.
Check it out here.
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