What Works: How to receive with openness and gratitude

‘Tis the season to both give and receive. I am so grateful, having come back sick from my trip to see family in Texas, that I am surrounded by such a loving and supportive community. Carson City, words cannot express how grateful I am for you – as individuals, as a community, and as a place I proudly call home.

Something happens when we get sick. Stuff gets real. Fear gets real. Need gets real. And, because often the sickness binds us to our beds, we either go to sleep or we are sitting there having to face it. It’s those vulnerable times where we are most powerful. Our defenses are down. We can open up to receiving.

I filmed a quick video here about it this morning. And yes, I’m still a little sick.

How do you open to receiving?

Being open to receiving is about putting yourself out there, open heart, open mind, open soul, to the world. But, mostly, receiving is about energy. It’s about putting the best of yourself out there. Recognizing your effort, others mirror your energy.

It’s one of the reasons I honestly believe Carson City is so special. If you went downtown for Empty Bowls or the tree lighting ceremony, you saw it. It was pure holiday spirit. Empty Bowls was supported by a dozen local restaurants to raise funds to feed our local homeless. Families lined the street to listen to local school bands, carolers, and see this year’s beautiful lights for the first time. This is the interchange of giving and receiving – being able to soak it all in while being part of it too.

All you need from there is a simple request. I need inspiration. I need support. I need a miracle. Don’t spend time thinking about how. Just put it out there.

Receive with gratitude.

There’s a difference between someone who can receive with gratitude and a taker. Takers don’t participate. They don’t give back when they are able. You can probably identify a few takers in your life. You can show those takers what its like to be a receiver by showing them love, care, and emotional support. The reaction to being taken from can be to become a taker. It’s a survival instinct. Don’t allow yourself to fall into denial of the goodness of your being.

When you receive with gratitude, you give what you can. All I could muster for my roommate yesterday when he fed me a bowl of his yummy homemade Pho was a smile and a verbal thank you. I was sick and working on my final project for school. When I receive a referral, I will often email or send a note as a thank you. If the person is part of my referral program, they will get an unexpected check in the mail. As a result, I continue to participate in a cycle of giving and receiving. It’s really beautiful.

This week’s challenge, Carson City, is to open to receiving and give of yourself – time, talent, or treasure, when you can. I hope you experience as much joy from it as I have.

GET INSPIRED
Motivation Monday with Diane Dye Hansen at Adams Hub for Innovation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Up to two free 30-minute face to face sessions. Email grow@adamshub.com to schedule an appointment) – Resumes two weeks after Thanksgiving.

Motivation Yoga with Allie Reitz at Adams Hub for Innovation at noon each Monday in The Studio. Choose your price yoga. (Resumes after Thanksgiving) www.communityyogi.com.

Dec. 13, 2017: Entrepreneurs Assembly at Adam’s Hub for Innovation, inside The Studio. 5:30 pm, free mastermind group.

January 19, 2018: Diane Dye Hansen’s 3rd Annual Visions and Intentions Workshop – Vision Boards, Live Group Coaching, and Intention Setting for 2018 - Cost $20. Go here to learn more and to purchase tickets.

What Works Coaching

Diane Dye Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, an individual and organizational coaching and consulting firm based in Carson City. She has 20 years of experience working with top corporations, growing businesses, motivated entrepreneurs, and individuals hungry for a fresh start. Diane holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing from Cal State San Bernardino. She is also a candidate for a Master’s degree in Communications Management from the University of Southern California. Her column appears every Monday, and sometimes Tuesday, in Carson Now.