Giving and Receiving Cycle
The Art of Receiving (aka: Getting Over Yourself… Gracefully)
By Linda McCall – Explorer of Souls, Seeker of Balance, Master of Doing It All Until She Couldn’t Anymore
Are you one of those superhumans who can do everything better, faster, and with a smile while juggling life, work, kids, business, and a yoga pose? A giver extraordinaire but… a receiving disaster?
Yep, me too.
If someone offers you help, do you politely (and proudly) decline with a breezy “Oh no, I’m fine, thanks!” – while low-key wishing you had said yes?
Let’s just say: if receiving were a sport, some of us wouldn’t even qualify for tryouts.
Welcome to the Cycle Club (No Lycra Required)
After over a decade of deep diving into Eastern Philosophy (and more than a few life lessons), I’ve noticed something: life is a circle. A glorious, ever-turning, dance-your-socks-off kind of cycle. And if you interrupt it? Well, things can get… crunchy.
Let me throw some ancient wisdom your way (because, let’s face it, those old sages were onto something):
“Yin and Yang are the source of power and the beginning of everything in creation… to beget and to grow, to harvest and to store, to finish and to begin anew.”
– Ilza Veith, Nei Ching, from Between Heaven and Earth
It’s simple, really. The cycle of giving and receiving is nature’s power supply. Just like a tree – it takes nutrients from the soil, sunshine from the sky, and rain from the heavens. Then it gives back fruit, shade, and a home to birds that won’t stop tweeting. Literally.
That’s balance. That’s flow. That’s the way it’s meant to be.
But Then Humans Happened…
Unlike trees, we humans (or rather, human-doings) often interrupt this lovely flow with a big ol’ helping of ego.
Now don’t get me wrong – ego’s not the villain here. But when it starts screaming, “You don’t need help! You’ve got this! Do it all yourself like a good little hero!” – that’s when the cycle gets clogged.
Let’s be real: if a tree doesn’t get oxygen, it suffocates. If it gets no water, it shrivels. And if you keep giving without receiving, you’ll burn out faster than a cheap candle in a wind tunnel.
Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself
Take a little inventory of your life right now (yes, right now):
- Are your relationships feeling one-sided?
- Is your bank account groaning?
- Is your energy leaking like a deflated pool toy?
Chances are, somewhere along the way, you’ve said “I’m fine” when someone offered help. Not because you didn’t need it… but because you didn’t know how to say yes.
Sound familiar?
Here’s Your New 3-Step Game Plan:
1. STOP
Catch yourself in that reflexive “No thanks, I’ll do it” moment. Pause. Breathe.
2. ASSESS
Ask yourself honestly – could a little help actually be… helpful?
3. OBSERVE
Notice your patterns. Notice theirs. Observe what happens when you say yes – even when it’s awkward.
Because Here’s the Secret: People LOVE to Help
They really do. Helping gives us purpose. It gives us meaning. It makes us feel like we matter. So when you graciously accept, you’re actually giving them a gift, too.
Let that sink in.
“You cannot pour from an empty cup… but you sure as heck can let someone refill it for you.” – Every wise woman after 40
The Joy of Allowing
Receiving isn’t about weakness – it’s about connection. It’s about saying, “I trust you. I value your effort. I am open.”
And when you do that? Magic happens.
So next time someone offers to carry your groceries, help with your tech drama, or give you a break – say yes. Then say thank you with all the joy you’ve got.
Oh, and pro tip: even if a gift isn’t your style, receive it with gratitude. Don’t judge, don’t resist – just smile and feel the flow.
Because remember: giving feels great. So give someone else the joy of doing that for you.
Your Challenge (If You’re Brave Enough):
This week, accept help at least three times. Even if you could do it better, quicker, or while standing on one leg.
Then notice how it feels. Weird? Vulnerable? Empowering? Lovely?
It might just change your life.
“Adventure is worthwhile in itself.” – Amelia Earhart
So why not make receiving your next adventure?
Go on, brave soul. Get over yourself – with grace, humour, and a wink – and let the cycle of life flow through you again.
Wishing you Soul Deep Adventures,
Linda McCall
Dip. Shiatsu & Oriental Therapies
Master NLP Coach | Hypnotherapist | Time Line Therapist
