Giving without expectation or attachment. Receiving with grace and intention. There is a fine line between the two.

In order to contribute at our highest ability, we also have to be able to receive well. To give without expectation or attachment – being generous and open; and to receive with grace and presence – being vulnerable and open to another…that is the fine art of reciprocity.

On the flip side of this and taking the “fine line” a bit deeper: when we contribute with expectation, because we want something, or when we receive with resistance, fear or skepticism – it ruins the magic of what’s possible.

It is an art to dance between the two; an art that takes intention, clarity, vulnerability, and truth. And when it’s there, when we get it even close to “right”, magic happens. The energy of graceful reciprocity flows.

Contribution is great. It’s important. It makes the world go round. But contribution, without refilling one’s tank, and being able to receive in return, becomes limited. If order to “feed” others well, we need to be able to “feed” ourselves and get “fed.” Without this flow, burnout happens, the well runs dry; opportunities for amazing impact are stunted.

There’s the simple art of receiving; gracefully accepting a compliment or acknowledgement, saying “thank you“. And then there’s the more complex form – being able to receive attention, nurturing, care, value, love, whatever…from another. Both are equally important.

Summing-up: The more you give, the more you likely get. And in any case, the virtuous cycle has to be humming. Notice that themes here all boil down to awareness, intentionality, clean communication, honesty, vulnerability, and of course…giving and receiving.