This is a tough one for many, especially when the giving and receiving is directed toward self, but also when we’ve erected protective boundaries that have us challenged to open our hearts again to others. The art of giving and receiving (our natural state of abundance) is another of the great lessons I have had to learn to balance in my own life, which prompted a blog post a few years ago, which this share is from, but rather than simply reblog it I decided to create a post out of it with the points from then to be in “new energy” all around.

I feel that it can be a challenge for many to balance giving and receiving in a healthy way and especially in terms of opening to receiving and embracing your own value and self-worth that comes along with that. I know that there is a lot of conditioned victim or martyr energy we have learned and this is an essential aspect to look at integrating, as self-denial and self-worth will have a direct result on your ability to tap into your natural abundance innately available to you.

Just like Reiki teaches us, everything in the Universe is energy and naturally, energy just wants to keep flowing and cycling, as is its innate “beingness” to do. It does not judge, attach, or stop and block the flow – we do. We are the ones that block it and this is what creates challenges and dis-ease in our lives.

Giving and receiving are two parts of a whole that coexist, are essential, and create natural balance. When we only focus on one more than the other – never allowing receiving to take place, or never freely giving – we are blocking the flow of energy to cycle through us both ways, and we then create energetic imbalance that manifests as challenges in our lives on any or all levels – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

As we grow spiritually, this often presents experiences of greater receiving and giving in our lives to embrace. Since both are energetically equal, coming from the same Source, they increase mutually. So it doesn’t make sense that giving increases while receiving decreases, does it? They will both naturally increase together, which means receiving well entails giving well and giving more means we must be open to receiving more – ultimately supporting and embracing what serves the greater good and well being when we do so.

In order to have a fulfilling life, your giving and receiving must be in balance and rhythmic harmony. Balance is essential to every aspect of life and we are constantly in practice of creating what that harmony means for each of us, as there’s no one formula that will work for everyone since we all have different strengths and limits.

Stress can be a result of over-giving (this can also be a result of not having boundaries in place and energy vampires able to suck our energy easily, as we haven’t put in place healthy assertions), which can lead to other effects as a result, including damaging emotions that can build like resentment and anger, and the same can happen if you are receiving in imbalance.

So if you are feeling you are receiving too much, start giving now, and if you are giving too much start finding ways to appreciate what you receive and have. Keep on top of not overburdening yourself with the responsibility of giving, as well as be mindful of creating guilt, or not being grateful, for all of the receiving you’ve been gifted.

Simply recognize where the flow may be blocked and on a one way street, then start making adjustments to balance out the energy with either some random acts of kindness, donations, and offerings, or with more thank you’s and allowing to mirror your new found self worth.

In doing so, you will tap into the limitless and abundant being that you are and this will be reflected in all ways in your life to enjoy.