The following is an article from Speaking Tree (center page of Times of India, one of the few things imo worth reading in the newspaper 😉 )
Many times, we hesitate to receive in the name of swaabhimaana/self-respect. I think there is a very barely noticeable thin line between true self-respect, and an egoistic emotional barrier.
Generosity is a two way street
There may be at least four reasons why people have trouble receiving. Maybe they simply haven’t learned how to graciously receive a gift or assistance from another. Or it could be that they don’t want to feel under obligation to the giver. It’s also possible they consider receiving a weakness, and want to always come across as the strong or defining part of a relationship; to receive, for some, is to acknowledge that they have needs, or are vulnerable, and they find this very hard. Or perhaps, most sadly, they don’t feel they deserve what they receive.
Unfortunately, all of these reasons quite self-centredly put the focus on the receiver, rather than on the joy of the person giving the gift. It helps to recall the joy we feel when we ourselves give ^ and to allow others opportunities for experiencing the same joy.
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