The Art of Receiving (revised)

Written by Leigh Martinuzzi – Originally Published 7.11.2014

I got myself in more debt. I got myself more upset when more bills came rolling in. I got myself in a panic when I got myself fired and was not sure where the next paycheck would come from. How would I support my wife and kids? What would I do next? What would happen next?

What I asked for in life I received. It was how I reacted, not responded, that has taught me a heck of a lot in life. We all continue to learn as we experience life. It is what we do with these life lessons that count.

The first universal truth is that we create our reality with our thoughts, beliefs and feelings. This to me is the hidden art of receiving. By controlling how and what we think about will affect our beliefs, decisions and actions. This determining how we feel, our state of being and ultimately our destiny. How much do we truly control?

Have you ever woken up on the wrong side of the bed? I have and very occasionally, still do. For whatever reason, you are grumpy, anxious, or annoyed with your partner. Sometimes it’s minute or trivial things that trigger an upset, like being upset about the poor success of last nights dinner. Whatever it is the fact is that today you are simply not in a good mood.

You have negative thoughts. You don’t feel great about anything. Your emotional state and everything you are telling yourself at this moment is tainted by your ill state. “The world is out to get me.”

You struggle to get out of bed. You trip when you try putting on your pants which is funny because it’s something you’ve done every day since you were three. However, right now you don’t see the comical side to this fact. You proceed to cut yourself with the razor and you give up trying to put on the fucking tie. What’s the point? And yet, it doesn’t stop there…

You burn your toast. You spill coffee on yourself. Your lunch bag splits open and you your lunch goes everywhere. Then you forget your lunch. And while driving to work and people in traffic are cutting you off left, right and centre. “I shouldn’t have gotten out of bed this morning.”

I am sure you can relate to such days. Usually, we just pass it off as “I am having a bad hair day.” And sometimes we think we are just hard out of luck. I used to have these days often. Too often! I knew something had to change.

This is why I believe we must practise the art of receiving. It is essential in living a more content life. There is a world of abundance and we receive what we ask for. There is also some universal truth that our thoughts do indeed become our reality. This may sound a little ‘cra-cra’ (shortened word that means crazy for the older generation or unfamiliar) to some first-timers however there much research and evidence that indicates that this is truly the case.

There have been many great books written on this subject. One book that I am sure many of you are familiar with is called ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill (please see my book reflection here). If you’ve never read it I highly recommend you do.

Napoleon studied and followed hundreds of very successful people for 25 years before writing this book and what he discovered was that they all consistently had control over their thoughts and it was this that allowed them greater opportunities and a higher ability to receive whatever they desired.

When we understand our thoughts, the good and the bad, we will find an abundance of opportunities present themselves. When we lack such control over our thoughts we lack control over our reality. What we think about is what we receive. We get what we ask for.

Not so long ago I decided my place of work was no good. I told myself that my career with this company was no longer viable. I told myself that the people, particularly senior management, were running the business incorrectly and were also dishonest and deceitful in their ways. I told myself I no longer wanted to be there or apart of it. How do you think this affected my life?

I created all that happened over the following months. I woke up with a negative taste in my mouth each and every day. It was a taste of hate and anger for what I was doing. I noticed that this consequently meant everything I received day to day was aligned with my thoughts. This intensified my feelings and beliefs. I made poorer decisions.

I didn’t appreciate everything that was great in my life. I was focused on everything that I thought was wrong. I attracted more of this, the negative.

I started searching for a new career. I attended job interviews that went badly, as one would expect with such thoughts. It was not because I didn’t have the right skillset, no, my mindset was tainted. I was searching for a new career, a new opportunity, not because I was excited or driven in a new direction but because I simply didn’t want to be where I was. I was taking action based on the negatives, hoping that a new job may change things. I should have been focusing on the positives. I should have been focused on changing my perspectives, my thoughts.

I had no control over what I wanted to receive. I had no idea what I actually wanted, just what I didn’t want to do. There is much more to this story however it ended in me being terminated due to an apparent breach of health and safety, right or wrong, who cares. I was FIRED! I received exactly what I asked for.

Ever since then I have been practising daily with as much patience and persistence as possible the art of receiving. I have taught myself how to better control my thoughts and direct them, as I want them to be. I have learned to ask for what I desire and what I wish to receive. The shift and outcomes have been somewhat unbelievable. I sometimes have to hit myself in disbelief at the opportunities I seamlessly bump into.

I have become better at receiving.

Firstly, I found several coaches and mentors to learn from. I listened to my coaches, those that I admired and become obsessively inspired by them on a daily basis. I absorbed as much from them as I could and tried out almost everything they taught. Even if I didn’t entirely agree with their advice I was willing to give it a go.

I filled my tank up daily with positive information and culled all the negative bullshit. I listened to self-improvement audio. I attended seminars. I turned off the TV and turned on educational programs – TED talks, YouTube, documentaries, you name it, I was hooked.

I tried to disassociate myself from those people in my life that were negative, those that liked to gossip, create stories and complain. I started to choose more closely those I associated with.

I decided what thoughts of mine were worthwhile and which were not. Meditation is great for this. In practising mindfulness I was better able to recognise my thoughts. I was able to eliminate the shit stories and limiting beliefs I have held onto for far too long.

I found routines that made me feel good. My morning routine sets me up every day for success. I have talked about these habits in other posts and episodes on The Hidden Why. Exercise, cold showers, and meditation, to name a few. Any form of mindfulness training has scientific benefits for one’s overall well-being.

Now, every day, I give 100% to everything with positive thoughts, powerful energy and a smile as much as I can throughout the day.

There will always be those things in your day that you really would prefer not to do however you can choose the attitude in which you do them. If you give it your 100% you will notice that you’ll enjoy it much more. Always go above and beyond with all that you do. It will make you stand out more, feel better and undoubtedly attract and open many more doors of opportunity along the way.

Just by showing up I noticed the more positive things in life began to happen. It’s like when you want that car park right out the front of that building and if you think positively towards its attainment, it happens. There is power there.

Finally, everything thought must be followed by intention lead action. Praying for good things to show up is a fruitless process. When you ask for things consistently I believe they will form into a solid reality. You can ask for it in your head. You can write it down. You can imagine it, envision it, you could even say it out loud. Do this daily and see what you begin to receive. And remember to take action!

Feel free to ask someone for what it is you desire. Your partner or your boss. Don’t be afraid of rejection because a ‘no’ doesn’t mean a no indefinitely and you may just surprise yourself with how many “yes” responses you are greeted by.

I create my thoughts and direct them where I need to go. I practice the art of receiving and for that I receive. I decide to live my life with more freedom and fulfilment. I am the starting place for it all. I am the creator of my happiness in life.

Leave your thoughts, comments and questions below. Reach out directly by email of social media. Peace, Passion & Purpose. 

Further Reading and Resources 

TED Talks: Ideas worth spreading

Psychology Today: Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody’s favourite subject – Ourselves

Life Hack: Tips for Life

Elite Daily: The Voice of Generation Y

Four Hour Work Week: How to escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich.

The Minimalists: How to pursue a minimalist lifestyle and be happier.

Mind Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Brain

Rich Roll: Plantpowered Wellness Advocate

The Art of Charm: Build confidence, feel comfortable and networking differently.

American Psychological Association: The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United State

The Art of Manliness: Encouraging men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens.

Tiny Buddha: Simple wisdom for complex lives.

Brain Pickings: An inventory of cross-disciplinary interestingness, spanning art, science, design, history, philosophy, and more.

Mind Body Green: Lifestyle media brand dedicated to inspiring you to live your best life.

Zen Habits: Find simplicity and mindfulness in life.

Creative NonFiction: “true stories well told.” 

Addicted 2 Success: Motivation & Inspiration Website full of quotes and inspiring articles for entrepreneurs.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree: science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.

The Positivity Blog: Practical articles on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and social skills.