In Episode Eight, we’re making a very clear distinction when it comes to taking versus receiving. Taking is going out into your environment, looking for something to satisfy an expectation that we have, and then taking that thing, with very little concern for the byproduct of our actions. The problem is that humans are so sensitive to being a taker, they actually prevent themselves from being a good receiver. Receiving occurs when something from our environment shows up with a gift for us and we create a situation that allows that gift to be received by us. We are so sensitive to being perceived as a taker that we actually get really bad at being a receiver.
My favorite line is when people say, “I’m really bad at taking compliments.” No, you’re not. You’re not going out and asking someone to compliment you to which you say, “No, no, no, you shouldn’t have said that.” Sometimes, people will offer us a gift to which we often respond, “Oh, you shouldn’t have.” You shouldn’t have given me this gift because I don’t know how to receive it. Receiving should be seen as perfectly normal. Receiving makes both the person giving and the person receiving feel really good, if done well.
Try not to be a taker. Don’t go out into your environment and take things from people. Nobody likes a taker. I agree. Learn how to become a very good receiver. It’s a very good situation for both the person presenting the gift and the person receiving it. So, go out into your environment and be a receiver, not a taker. Receive the message today. I hope you do. Thanks for reading the BlankScreen blog. Check us out on YouTube. We will see you in the next episode!