This time of year is known as a season of giving for many.

Although my family is Jewish, this season is still a time of family, love, connection, and service in our community.

It fits very nicely with our Jewish tradition of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world.

Giving is an important part of a well-lived life.

My family does our best to give time, money, gifts, and smiles to all those who may need their hearts and spirits lifted.

We absolutely believe in the principle of giving. Philanthropy has always been a part of my family’s life. It’s what makes life meaningful for us.

We have been given many opportunities where we have seen the difference that helping hands and giving hearts can make.

But I have learned that in all our giving, we also need to learn the importance and value of receiving.

Giving is fulfilling only because there is a receiver.

As a giver, you wouldn’t want to give a gift to someone only to have them throw it away.

How a receiver receives is just as important as how the giver gives.

Maya Angelou said, “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

How we choose to both give and receive will not only determine our own happiness, but it will have a lasting effect on those around us.

There are so many things written about the power of giving. Today I want to focus on the value of receiving.

We need to receive all things with gratitude.

When someone gives you a gift, whether a gift of time, money, or anything else, receive it with gratitude.

This is also important when it comes to receiving compliments. Instead of deflecting them, accept them with gratitude and thank the giver of the compliment.

When we receive all things with gratitude, not only does it bring joy to the giver, but it also brings joy to our own heart.

Living in gratitude is a positive and powerful way to live your life.

When we receive with gratitude, we are actually giving back to the giver a feeling that only a grateful heart can give.

It’s equally important to receive the gratitude of others.

This time of year can be lonely for so many.

There are people and organizations that give their time and talents so that no one has to feel alone.

If you are struggling and lonely, seek out opportunities to serve others. Because giving of yourself puts you in the perfect situation to receive.

You will be surprised at how their gratitude will warm your heart and help you to feel the joy of the season.

Receiving the gratitude of others is an important part of the giving cycle. When you give—you also receive.

And sometimes giving is the best way to receive the things you actually need.

There is joy and strength when we receive family and friends.

One definition of receive is to “accept.” When you apply this definition to family and friends, it’s a reminder to love and accept them for who they are.

This is a great time of year to let go of past expectations and just love those around you.

Additionally, we can get so caught up in our own little world that we forget there are people out there who love and support us.

This time of year is a wonderful time to reconnect with family and friends.

Take the time to reach out and support those you love. Ask them how they are doing and share your love in return.

Receive each day with a joyful heart.

If you are anything like me, you have a list a mile long of things you want to accomplish each day. This may cause you to face each day with dread.

However, when we receive each new day with joy, every day can be a good day.

Each day has incredible opportunities to receive joy, love, goodness, and forgiveness.

Find those moments and treasure them.

The more we are able to receive the day we are given, the better equipped we will be to make each day a day of joy.

Let go of your expectations of how things should be and just receive what is.

Do your best while still remembering that you are enough just as you are.

Receiving is not a weakness.

We have been taught that being on the receiving end of giving is selfish. However, being a receiver is an important part of the cycle of giving. That’s how generosity works.

Being a gracious receiver is such an important part of the cycle.

Telling someone “you shouldn’t have” deprives the giver of the joy that comes from giving.

Receiving also allows each of us to recognize that we were important enough for the giver to want to give something of themselves to us.

Receive each gift with kindness and a genuine thank you. It will go a long way for the person who is giving.

The world needs more gracious receivers.

Sometimes we will give, and other times we will be on the receiving end of someone else’s giving.

No matter where we are in the cycle, it’s important that we choose to both give and receive graciously.

As we go about exchanging gifts this season, I hope that we can each be a little better about receiving the things that are given.

And most of all, I hope we can receive the love, joy, and connection this season of giving provides us.

While it’s true that the more we give, the more we receive, it’s equally true that the more we receive, the more we have to give.