Would you like to live life feeling fully supported?
I’ve been receiving in torrents lately! It’s wonderful practice/experience in living life feeling fully supported.
My Crowdfunding Campaign (gathering support to help me go to Chicago for International Speech Competition) ends tomorrow night (Thursday Aug. 9), and I’m delighted to say I will have reached my goal! (Including on and off-line contributions)Better said, my community reached my goal! (If you haven’t seen it and are interested, click here.
Asking for help and receiving generosity from my communities has been both thrilling and humbling. I am exceedingly grateful.
When was the last time you asked for help?
—of any kind, financial or otherwise? I know it’s a matter of pride in this culture to be self-sufficient. To feel fully supported (which is NOT in conflict with providing for yourself), it’s necessary to admit you are part of a greater whole, and to ask for help. Many times you cannot receive if you do not ask.
Receiving Feedback
I’ve been receiving loads of constructive feedback on my “Finals” speech in the past few weeks, taking it to different clubs and performing it repeatedly in my own clubs.
Just like with receiving compliments or other simple receiving, receiving feedback requires listening, taking note, and saying “thank you” are key. These people have gone out of their way to provide me with their impressions, thoughts, ideas. I can act on their suggestions, or not. That’s up to me. It’s very important not to argue with the inflow of generosity! Express gratitude even if you are not 100% in agreement!
My suit-hunting efforts
(Clothing for competition) have come at least partly to fruition. I ran this photo by a couple of Toastmasters “in the know” and they said it should be easily visible against the customary Toastmasters blue curtain. (Whether that will be the background or not, I don’t know.) I’m still searching for a darker suit in case I am against white or light walls. Being visible is a basic strategy for competing!
Receiving is a skill—practice it!
This skill requires vulnerability, being open, feeling and expressing gratitude. It also requires respect, humility, and a joyful spirit
Coach’s Challenge:
Pick one area of current struggle in your life, and ask for help with it this week. Ask the Universe, of course, but also ask someone who you think can help. Remember receiving is a part of intimacy. Receiving someone’s generosity brings both of you closer. (You get the help you need, and they get the joy of giving to you!)
