Receive—& let go

I don't know about you, but I find it easier to give than to receive. Somehow it just feels more comfortable for me to be on the giving end.

Recently, I'm getting in touch with what that might mean, at least for me. When I give to someone else, I'm the one in control. But when I receive from someone, I'm not. Is that a gender issue? I'm not sure. Or is that because I'm an Enneagram 8? Either of those could be true. Or it could just be my own issue.

In any case, I'm trying to let up a bit on being that strong, capable, competent, leap-tall-buildings-single-bound-land-backward-in-high-heels sort of person. I'm trying to let others know I need them more. Let them give to me, too. It's good for them. And it's good for me. And actually, it would be nice to retire that "Wonder Woman" costume! Why have I been hanging onto it all these years? Truth be told, it did serve me well after my divorce when I had to be out there making it on my own. It did serve me well when I worked in a patriarchal workplace. But it's one of the things (there are many more) I want to let go at this stage of life.

What's your experience of giving and receiving? And what do you need to let go these days?