“Until we can receive with an open heart, we are never really giving with an open heart.” Brene Brown

I’m not sure about you, but I grew up with parents who were both over-givers. I know that my parents did the best they could, but what I learned from them about giving and receiving is that receiving is selfish and that serving others is our purpose.

What I didn’t know to be true growing up (and only found out much later) is that over-giving costs us. Over-giving leads to giving from an empty heart, from an empty soul, from an empty cup. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. Years of neglecting my needs and making other people’s needs more important than mine shaped an unhappy, unhealthy, negative person. Yes, that was me, years ago.

This pattern of exhausting ourselves by over-giving is a pattern that comes up often in my conversations with women.

Living at full power and serving as the beacons we are meant to be is only possible when we dare to receive.

The fact is that, for women, giving is more natural and receiving requires attention and intention. But once you give yourself permission to receive and become intentional about balancing giving with receiving, you enjoy the benefits:

• You stop self-sabotaging, and you start seeing giving as a spiritual act.
• You stop giving from an empty cup, and you start serving better.
• You stop getting disappointed when other people don’t give back, and you enjoy giving a lot more.

Are you ready to create your Dare to Receive menu?

If I asked you to make a list of all the ways you give to others, you could probably do it easily. But what if I asked you what is on your Dare to Receive menu?

Dare to Receive does not mean getting a massage or a mani-pedi.

Dare to Receive means giving yourself permission to nurture your soul on a deep level.

 

Which items from this menu are you curious to try?

The Beacons of Change Dare to Receive Menu

Dare to Receive Compliments

Everyone craves praise, but accepting a compliment with grace is not an easy thing! How do you usually respond when receiving a compliment? Do you say “Oh, it’s nothing,” or “Actually, it wasn’t that hard”? Receiving a compliment is receiving love. Take a deep breath in, smile, say “thank you,” and then shut up!

Dare to Receive Love

Imagine that all your past experiences are condensed into a phrase or a statement that is written on an invisible flag that you carry with you everywhere you go. What does it say on your invisible flag? Does it say “I am worthy and lovable,” or does it say something else? Read more in this article I wrote, and change your love message if you need to.

Dare to Receive Affection

Women crave affection. But women also play a million roles, do a zillion things, and take care of so many people, usually to find themselves drained at the end of the day. If this is your experience, you are not alone. But when your partner wants to have sex or a loved one wants to hug you, don’t say “no” because you’re exhausted. Allow yourself to receive the affection that you need, and use it to shift your energy on the spot.

Dare to Receive Guidance

I can’t tell you how many women I meet who appear to the outside world as if their lives are perfect, yet who really feel alone and isolated. In challenging times, it is normal to feel lost and unfocused. The truth is, beloved, that you have the answers within you. Connecting with your inner goddess will connect you with your inner wisdom, and then you’ll find clarity and direction. She’s always with you, your inner goddess.

Dare to Receive Connection

It touched my heart when I asked the women in my Inner Circle online community what they receive from being part of the sisterhood. Many of them said they receive the connection they crave. A true unconditional, loving, accepting connection. Jen, one of our beacons, said it so beautifully: “I’m here to keep receiving the collective wisdom of like-minded women, the spiritual connection, good energy, friendship, and sisterhood.” I hope that you belong to a tribe that gives you the same. And if you want to join the Beacons of Change tribe, it will be our honor to have you.

Dare to Receive Help

You know the pattern. It’s much easier to get things done yourself than to let someone else help you. First, it will take time and energy to train the person, and then they will never meet your expectations. Right? Being a superwoman is not always smart. Even superheroes need and deserve to rest. When you ask for and receive help, you make a spiritual contribution to the world because you free up some space for somebody else to shine.

Dare to Receive_______________ (fill in the blank)

What’s your favorite item on the Dare to Receive menu?

What is one item you would add to the menu?

Your feedback is important to me, and I can’t wait to read it.