“Until we can receive with an open heart, we can never really give with an open heart.” – Brene Brown
Isn’t it interesting that when we receive a gift, sometimes we react by feeling like we have to pay the giver back rather than to simply say ‘thank you’? For example, you have a friend who is recovering from surgery, so you take them a home-made dinner. If you get your casserole pan returned with lemon bars and a gift card to Starbucks, your dinner gift feels smaller and insignificant. You gave for the giving’s sake and did not expect anything in return, yet your generous gesture was diminished. Learning to receive without obligation is the true gift to the giver.
Daily Practice: Think about a time when you received a gift, and you were simply thrilled. How did you say ‘thank you’?