I wanted to share with you that I received the most beautiful letter from my daughter the other day. It was a gift of love that really touched my heart.
Giving is an art that many of us are familiar with. Whether you give money to a charity, help your neighbor, donate your time to a local shelter; the feeling is the same. Your heart swells and a smile stretches across your face. The endorphins that are released in your body from this act are great for you. Helping others gives you a “Helper’s High” which has many health benefits including:
- Strengthens your immune system
- Decreases your awareness and intensity of physical pain
- Relieves stress
I love the idea of reaching out and giving to others but it’s important to remember that you deserve to receive as well. This tends to be tough for some people, but learning how to receive things will benefit you as well.
Do you find it hard to ask for help? This is an example of how we close ourselves off to the idea of receiving. Knowing that it’s okay to ask for a hand once in a while is an important part of the receiving process.
Here are a couple of my favorite tips for making yourself a better “receiver”:
- The next time someone compliments you, reply with a simple “Thank you!” Don’t explain that you actually need a haircut when someone compliments your hair, for example. A lot of women reply to compliments on their clothing by saying, “It’s comfortable.” Just accept the kind words and enjoy them. Perhaps others will notice the new gesture of reception and begin practicing the balance.
- When you receive your next treatment at the spa, allow yourself to welcome the touch, don’t arrive at the last minute with your hair on fire. You deserve to enjoy a full session of relaxation. Receiving well includes preparing yourself to receive. If you feel like you are “stealing” your much-deserved time at the spa, you won’t allow yourself the time to prepare for and then transition out of, your spa state of mind.
A wonderful way to practice the balance of giving while receiving is a hug a day. Know that the world wouldn’t be the same without you in it. I’d love to hear about all the ways you are giving and ways you are learning to receive too! Here at the spa, we try to give back to the community and to our clients as often as we can.
On Sunday, June 26th, we are hosted our second Cancer Comfort Day, an uplifting event for cancer patients currently receiving treatment. With the generous help of our neighbors here in Willow Glen, we were able to provide a healthy brunch, facials, massages, hair wash, and blow-dry, all at no cost to our special guests. For more information on Cancer Comfort Day, please call the spa or check out the press release from our first event here.
Hugs to you all
Violet
