We have just come through the holidays, a time of giving . . . and receiving.

Which did you enjoy more? (Be honest, now!)

If you said, “Receiving,” don’t be too ashamed.

We often hear the quote, “It’s more blessed to give than receive.”

In our materialistic world, that’s a good thing to be reminded of.

But consider this: Might it be just as blessed to receive?

Think about the recent holidays. Imagine that you had a gift wrapped beautifully for someone, but you didn’t see her right away. You told her you had a gift for her but  . . . she never came to claim it. (This actually happened to me.)

How do you feel?

Now, imagine offering a gift to someone who receives it with delight and gratitude.

Don’t you feel blessed in the second case?

If we refuse a gift someone offers us, we rob them of the joy of giving. We break the cycle: gift offered, gift received, receiver blessed, giver blessed from receiver’s gratitude.

As we look into a new year, there are gifts waiting for you from a gracious God. Some of those gifts will look like gifts–all wrapped in nice packaging. Good health. Improved finances. Reconciled relationships. These are what we strive for, and receive gratefully.

But this year may also bring what I call “disguised gifts.” Things that don’t seem like gifts at all.

Health challenges. Loss of work. Business or financial setbacks. Relationships that go sour.

Last year for me delivered a number of such “gifts.”

But you know what? Because of what I learned long ago about gifts from God (I wrote a book called Abundant Gifts about it), I had developed a habit of thanking God for everything, of believing that everything could work together for my good.

And when you do that, even the most painful of “gifts” yield some kind of sweet fruit.

My husband and I took some time to look back at the past year and focus on the positives. We discussed some questions that you might want to use, too, as you look back on the past year.

1. What do I feel good about from this past year in regards to my career/vocation? My family? My friends? My health? My prosperity? My spiritual life? My personal life?
2. What changes did I make this year in any area of my life that made me feel more expansive and authentic?
3. What were the best gifts from the past year? (Take time to really steep in gratitude for them.)
4. What did I love about my life this past year that was different from any other year in my past?
5. In what areas did I experience the most healing?
6. Were there any milestones achieved last year? (Maybe other people wouldn’t call them that, but for you they were. Celebrate them!)

Looking back at the positives sets you up for receiving the good that can come to you in the coming year. If you need help letting go of any of the painful things from the past year, feel free to do Healing Codes for those things. And if you need extra help with letting go of the painful issues, feel free to get some coaching and custom Healing Codes from me. I’m here for you!