IT'S OK TO RECEIVE

We seek prosperity but when it comes we are often not equipped to handle it. Increase and expansion are not so hard to achieve. Allowing ourselves to accept it and keep it is harder.

I had a client who was so uncomfortable around money that as soon as he made any he needed to spend it or give it away. I noticed over a period of time that although he was able to make a lot of money, he wasn't able to keep it. He had deep feelings of unworthiness. Does this sound familiar to you?

So what is the secret to accepting "wealth" in whatever form it comes in? First, you need to recognize when it comes. Even the smallest gift must be greatly appreciated before you can receive a larger one.

There are many books on prosperity and abundance and they all convey the same steps.

1. You will never have happiness in the future if you can't appreciate what you have today.

2. Wealth comes in many forms. It comes in the form of health, love, relationships, a pleasant work environments, a great boss, having children, and so on. Wealth also comes to us in the form of increased financial income. Being grateful for the abundance that you have already received will attract more of it.

3. Learn what the balance between receiving and giving is for you. It's an ongoing process of learning what works and what doesn't. Some people receive a lot but can't accept the gifts and don't hold onto them for long. Others have little but are so grateful for the gift of life that they percieve their lives to be very abundant.

That same client above, asked how he could allow himself to feel more comfortable with money? I gave him a simple exercise to practice.

Imagine that you already have all that you wish for in every aspect of your life. What does that feel like? As you picture an abundant and prosperous life how does it feel in your body? Think of words like "abundance, health, wealth and charity". Focusing on those words will create more of a sense of prosperity.

So often we have it backwards. We think that we are doing favors for others by ignoring our own needs. In the end that leaves us depleted and broke. Have you ever given to the point of physical exhaustion and creating debt for yourself? The more you feel that way, the more you attract more of the same. If you want to reverse that process you'll have to start focusing on your own needs as well as the needs of others.

Here's another exercise for becoming more comfortable with receiving.

Imagine that you're surrounded by "money trees". Rather than leaves, the trees have dollar bills. If you already feel uncomfortable, just thinking about it, make a mental note of that.

Imagine that as you lay on the ground the "leaves" which are really bills fall one by one on you and around you. Experiment with different denominations such as US$ 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and so on. Notice how you feel as the numbers get higher.

You might feel both anxious and exhilarated.

Everyone will have a different balance of these two feelings depending on how comfortable you are with receiving. Having positive feelings might make you very nervous so you'll shut down quickly to receiving.

No matter what you feel you can increase your ability to receive by practicing receiving. If you can only let a little bit in then build from that place. If you love to give then you'll have to become a better receiver, because as you've heard over and over, you can't give from an empty cup.