The Law of Giving and Receiving in action

Today I'm going to share with you a couple stories that exemplify an important Universal Law: The Law of Giving and Receiving.

At the end of the post today I'll give you practical tips you can apply this week to put it into practice. Enjoy

My family and I just spent a month in the Yukon which is the most North-Western part of Canada.

It was an incredible trip and filled with memories we'll have for a life time. No matter where you go the views are awe-inspiring and filled with beauty in every direction. Mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, wildlife and more. In terms of natural beauty and serenity, it's one of the greatest I've experienced.

We decided we would drive there and do a massive family road trip. It took about 20 hours of driving to get there, which we did over 3 days. Then from there we explored many parts and drove around even more.

One day on the drive there we were driving on the highway and there was a semi-truck in front of us as often happens on highways and all of the sudden a rock shoots out and comes flying at us and there's a massive CRACK as it hits the windshield. We've got two huge chips and a massive crack along the bottom. It's going to need repair for sure.

This led to having two very contrasting experiences with two separate people in the same situation and brings us to the topic of today.

As never-ending students of personal and spiritual growth, there's an important idea that is worthwhile examining to see how we're doing. It's one that many seem to struggle with and I believe holds back much of the good we could be experiencing.

The idea is this: our willingness to both give AND receive determines what is possible for us to create in our lives.

Giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin.

In Deepak Chopra's wonderful book The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success, he outlines the Law of Giving and Receiving. 

He says "The second spiritual law of success, the Law of Giving and Receiving, is based on the fact that everything in the universe operates through dynamic exchange. Every relationship is one of give and take because giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe. If we stop the flow of energy, we interfere with nature’s intelligence. We must give and receive in order to keep money, or anything we want, circulating in our lives."

Here's the story of the two people I met and how this Law was shown in multiple ways.

After getting these rock chips and cracks I called a mobile windshield specialist I found online, he had great reviews and was able to get us in a few days later. We were on our way up to Dawson City (where the Klondike gold rush took place!) which was about a 7 hour drive from where we were, he met us just outside of the last city before the big drive.

He took a look at our chips, the cracks and said to us "These are pretty big and I just stop cracks from spreading, I don't fix the cracks. At this point there's no benefit to me even working on this. It would probably cost you $150-200 for me to possible stop the cracks but because they're so big they may even still continue to crack."

He shared totally honestly that it wasn't worth it for us to pay him. We were grateful for his honesty and I had $20 cash on me so I gave it to him and thanked him for at least coming to take a look.

He gave us great advice and then he happily accepted and received the $20.

Then just yesterday, we are back home in Edmonton now and we have more comprehensive glass repair stations, there's one we go to regularly when we need it. 

I went to the glass repair station, talked to the young man working it and explained what happened. He looked at it and said it's a pretty big job and will take awhile but I'll be able to get it done.

I left the car and went to go do some work at a coffee shop for awhile.

When I came back to see him, he had fixed and filled the cracks, drilled the necessary wholes on each chip and done a great job. 

We pay a one-time annual fee to that company and then get unlimited windshield repair, so he did the job and it took him over 2 hours, as he had me sign the receipt the work done was over $400 but then of course cost nothing to me because of the annual fee we pay.

I asked if there was a tip option because I appreciated his work, he said no there isn't. 

So I pulled out my wallet and only had $10 cash on me, I handed it to him to say thank you and wish I had more to give him. He said no it's ok don't give that.

I tried 3 more times to say please take it, I appreciate the work and you deserve it. He turned it away every single time. So I put the money back in my wallet and went on my way.

Here we have two examples, one where the first person gave great advice and wasn't expecting anything in return, yet when offered happily took the money I gave him.

The second, did great work, worked hard for 2 hours and completed the job (yes he gets paid hourly by the company), but then when was offered money that was being given he denied it and turned it away, not once, not twice but four times.

I share these examples with you to ask you: which one would you have been?

Giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin, if you constantly give but do not receive you are blocking the natural energetic flow of the Universe. You're telling the Universe, don't send me more, don't send good my way.

This can show up in saying no to money you're offered, but also can show up in other ways like: compliments, someone offering to buy your coffee or your lunch, someone offering you help etc.

When someone gives you a compliment about the clothes you're wearing or gives you a compliment about the job you did, how do you respond?

Do you brush it off or do you accept it? 

Are you responding with things like oh these clothes I've had forever. Or no you're not getting that for me, I'll get my own. Or no I don't need help thanks. Or perhaps you're even deflecting it by the minute they compliment you immediately you say, you look great too.

If you're brushing it off or immediately deflecting it back to the other person, consider this: you're blocking the natural flow of energetic exchange.

Remember, giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin. Both must be practiced to experience more of this in our lives.

The invitation this week is to practice being a better receiver and here's some simple ways you can do so:

1) If someone gives you a compliment of any kind, just accept it with a simple thank you, I appreciate that. No need to repay the compliment right then and there, no need to brush it off. Just accept it.

2) If someone offers to buy you a meal or coffee, accept it and thank them.

3) If you need help with something, ASK! There are many people in your life that would want to help you if you would just ask, 

If you find yourself where you're fine with receiving but perhaps you're not as giving as you'd like to be, try these:

1) Everyday this week find one person you can pay a genuine compliment too, something you admire about them or like about them.

2) Buy someone you normally wouldn't coffee or lunch this week, maybe buy the stranger behind you in line coffee.

3) Go out of your way to express appreciation to someone who's done a good job for you. Write them a thank you note, or get them a treat or coffee, do something that thanks them.

This is your reminder that the more we align ourselves with the natural laws of the Universe, the better our lives work.

Have an incredible week and I'm setting the intention that something amazing is going to happen for you this week!

With love,

Ben Spangl