I have actually done quite a bit of research (philosophical/theosophical) on giving and receiving through some time spent in a Benedictine Monastery years ago but what kept coming up is that its actually much much more complicated and difficult to receive than it is to give. To give is actually much easier because it implies that we are generous, have something to offer that others want, makes us look good, makes us feel like we are wonderful people, boosts the ego, etc. To receive implies many negativities that are reinforced by our society (we are supposed to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, etc.) Its hard to receive, in many ways and for a lot of reasons. Its hard to put yourself into a place to receive, too. Its sometimes feels like "lowering" yourself, humbling yourself before another who is better off, has more access, is more wealthy or powerful somehow.

I guess this is part of what trips me up sometimes in regards to opening myself to my HP. There is such a distorted picture of giving and receiving in my mind, in many peoples minds, in many aspects of our society. Recently, going over the first tradition, the idea of common welfare came into our discussion at one of my al-anon groups. The idea of common welfare really levels the playing field for me. There are no single players, there is this common field where we all interchange being givers and receivers sometimes in the same day, in the same moment. I like this picture much better and I see this happen on this board all the time and at meetings. We are both givers and receivers and there are no egos or personalities involved, its just one loving gesture that is anonymous. What a great program!