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Striving vs Receiving
I’m learning each day the difference between striving and receiving. Striving is mostly how I operated the first 50 years of my life. Set a vision or goal. Put a plan in place. Work until it happens. This may sound great in theory. But in reality, the vision was often either too hazy or too rigid. The plan I created was based on wishful thinking (which is scarcity mindset disguised as faith) and/or assumptions. The work I did was often based on obstinance and proving others wrong.
In reflecting on the past 30+ years, I have noticed that the most joyful, meaningful experiences and accomplishments didn’t really have any of the traits of striving. They were mostly received: becoming a father, my closest relationships, building a heart-centric business, my spiritual awakenings and revelations, adventures and experiences.
There was an investment of effort in all of these, of course. But there was receiving first. In all of the good things of life, I was an active co-creator but I rarely “made it happen”. In most cases, I had the foresight to see these moments as opportunities and apply execution and courage. I had a sense they were each important and that I needed to pay attention.
In my experience, it is nearly impossible to be in striving mode and receiving mode at the same time. Striving is a mindset; a survival mechanism. Receiving is opening up. It is…
