This post was mentioned on Twitter by JimSutton5: Receptivity is a foundation principle which all the technical details of social media are built.Read the Post: http://budurl.com/receptivity...

I used to give without taking. I found that as soon as I ran out of what ever it is other people wanted/needed, they stopped being around. I've always been into mutual benefit but was willing to defer my reward to some unspecified time in the future. I gave no thought to "what am I going to get out of this?" until recently. Now I know that although what goes around may come around, it is not necessarily in time for the next mortgage payment.

I'd suggest that next time someone gives a compliment, say "thank you" then be quiet. No explanation or disclosure is necessary. If someone grabs the check at a restaurant and offers to buy, say "thank you". Become conscious of the gifts being offered and realize that refusing to accept can be seen as rejection.

If someone asks for something but historically has not helped when asked, say "no". Be honest and polite but say "no". Some people will be upset but it helps clear our lives of takers. If help is needed, ask, especially people who take from us. Plenty of people will ignore our requests and others will make excuses of why they can't. That's ok.

We may think we are being loving and compassionate by giving without taking - but we are not because love and compassion must start with the self and move out from there.

I invite all to help each other relax and let the flow go both ways.

To our ever-expanding Joy & Success!
~ The Energizer Bonnie

I am grateful that - I received your comment!

Your take on this one rings true with me. Help? I can do that, but open to receiving is much harder for me.

An old farmer once said in an email I received:

An Old Farmer's Advice~ The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with watches you from the mirror every mornin'.

The more I live the more I realize it was me all along in my way. The farmer was right. Simple, but somewhat counter-intuitive, personal changes can make a vast difference: like giving less and receiving more.

A good analogy helps to understand a principle. If you visualize this as a see-saw it is clear that give and take is essential to success. You cannot go up unless someone goes down and we alternate. I cannot receive unless you give and we alternate.

Other things he said do not translate to my daily life as neatly: An Old Farmer's Advice~ A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

But this one applies: An Old Farmer's Advice~ If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

Another old geezer said: A joke is a very serious thing.-Winston Churchill

#pun Electric current tells psychiatrist: "I have alternating personalities!" Psychiatrist: "It's okay. You're just going through a phase."

Now, you can help me learn to receive better: I am looking for quotes from real people I know or can get to know rather than dead people I will never know. You could deposit them at: http://budurl.com/GotQuote