There have been open houses at my place this weekend for the sale, so I've been spending the afternoons at the homes of friends I don't really see often enough. Silly we need these excuses to make time for each other.
Anyway, this afternoon I had a powerful conversation with another giver. By 'giver' I mean someone who has moved through the decades of life always looking for what she can give, but not being quite as instinctive with the ability to receive.
We talked about our ideal lives and discovered we both really wanted to simply enjoy the passage of days surrounded by beauty, in the company of good people and plentiful nature, and enjoying good food. That's it. Not accomplish this or that. Simply live as Spirit enjoying the various facets of itself.
Yet we each had our ways in which we rejected that ease when we felt it wasn't earned.
I once had a boyfriend who insisted his life was so much better with me living with him, cooking, planning entertainment, even buying his clothes, than without me, despite the fact that he paid for everything and I had no job. But I couldn't accept it. I felt guilty. I was ostensibly happy, but I wasn't earning my keep.
My friend today is supported by her sister. She is building and maintaining the garden, cooks the meals, maintains the home in all ways, and her sister insists it's a great deal for her, since she's doing work she loves that she would do no matter what, and simply has the company of her sister and a much nicer home than she has time to create. But my friend also has trouble relaxing in to that receiving. She isn't earning her keep.
So here is my simple observation: If you want to live a happy life, learn to accept happiness when it is offered to you. Stop feeling guilty about your simple presence and providing the nurturing you love to provide, being enough. And stop feeling like you have to even nurture this particular person to receive sustenance from this particular person.
Sometimes you feel moved to help this person who has nothing to give you. And sometimes someone feels moved to help you when you have nothing to give them. Such is the cycle of life, and it is good. It is enough. You are enough, just as you are when you are simply enjoying your life and living the natural generosity of your spirit.
Let life bless you, and it will.
And now back to your regularly scheduled programming. 😄
(photo source: Pixabay)