Allowing: I Love You Mom!

Allowing is such precious magic…letting the flow continue. Not stopping it, hoarding it, pushing it away, or wanting to control it in anyway. In order to dance with the flow we must allow…we must be open and ready to receive… it’s part of the circle.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to give something; a gift, a hug, money, or attention to someone else?

How good are you at being on the receiving end? How do you feel when someone is flowing love and care, or a big fat hug to you? Can you open up and let it all in like a nice big drink of water? Have you ever practiced letting the attention someone else is directing toward you into your heart?

I was in the car with my mom the other day (she is 72) and I said mom, “Are you good at letting love in?” She said, “I don’t know.” I told her I was noticing how “good” I am at giving and how I loved it but, that recently I realized giving is a clever way for me to avoid letting people in. Like using it as a way to protect myself from being vulnerable.” I then spontaneously asked her to do something with me. I asked her to turn to me, and to let in what I am about to tell her. I said mom, “let this in all the way to your bones, and feel it in the deepest part of your heart.” She was so bright eyed and willing, she said, “okay!” (This all happened in my car at a stop light in 5:00 traffic) I turned to her and connected with her then said, “I love you more than anything in the world and am so grateful to you for all you have done in my life. You touch me and my family every day. You are a treasure to me mom.” Her eyes welled up...so did mine...it rocked us because she was so open, and I was so open, and...Boom Shakalaka it went deep into us!

I said, “Mom!!! You are so good at receiving, thank you so much for getting that.” I was so touched by her vulnerability. I felt so much joy in her letting it in. I realized in this moment how transforming it is, not only for the giver, but the receiver to be present and let in. To allow the gift in that is coming from another is a huge gift all by itself. It was such an energetic rush I couldn’t believe how we both felt!

Then I said…my turn, my turn!! Do me now! I turned to her and she turned to me and with her eyes still moist, she told me how dear I am and how I am always there for her...that she loves me with all her heart. Then I noticed that I was a bit uncomfortable, that I wanted to check and see if it was time to move forward in traffic. I noticed I wanted to see if there wasn’t something I should be doing right now instead of receiving this precious beautiful gift from my mother. (I was watching myself, and noticed I wanted to look for a distraction, or something important to do to avoid being vulnerable and having to receive. I laughed inside thinking this was all my idea to help my mom open up).

Then, I felt my mom sitting there so eager to be with me, and I saw how I robbed her of something by not letting her or her love in. She looked at me wide-eyed and present - loving me no matter what my response was. I noticed how different my turn felt from hers, how it feels when one person isn’t open. You see, I didn’t give her the same gift she had given me! I had an epiphany; receiving someone’s love is such a gift to them it transforms them. It’s fulfilling, it’s the circle, it’s the completion, the expanding of something precious, it’s what we are all here for, and it’s incredible! Isn’t that what we all want? Do we let it in when it is right in front of our faces?

I realized this would be a good way to open up (trick) myself into actually receiving since I love giving. In order to give the most precious gift of all, I need to receive! Ha! Got myself!!

I looked at my sweet mother, and loved her more in that moment than ever before. She is the receiving queen; she allowed my love into her heart and taught me a valuable lesson; receiving is another opportunity to wake up and smell the coffee we all came here to drink.

This traffic light adventure changed my life. I am practicing being like a puppy, and letting every drop of love right into my heart. It is a very awakening to the magic of life!

I love you Mom,
Holly