As individuals gain awareness that life is also about receiving, they usually begin process of healing. An issue that often surfaces at this point deals with their self-identity. Giving is so much a part of their nature that, when they first open themselves to prospect of receiving, they feel that they have to make a choice. It appears that only way to change their behavior is to stop doing what they are doing, to stop giving. But they like helping others, they prefer their loving and giving nature, it's who they ARE.

The solution, of course, is that they don't have to stop being who they are, they don't have to stop giving. They just have to allow themselves to start receiving!

One way to help make this shift is to stop thinking of yourself as a giver and to start thinking of yourself as being generous. These may appear same at first, but there are some considerable differences between two.

First, instead of saying 'I am a giver' we say 'I am generous'. Being a giver (like any role we have in life) implies certain responsibilities and rules. It tends to restrict us in how we think about ourselves and often forces us to give way past point where it is healthy. Being generous implies that we are a person who is able to share what we have. That there is plenty for me and you can have some too.

Giving can imply that there isn't enough to go around. Being generous comes from a place of abundance. You've all heard (and can relate to, I'm sure) expression 'Give til it hurts.' To immediately feel difference between two concepts, try saying 'Be generous til it hurts.' I'm sure you have same reaction that I do. It doesn't quite compute. It's an oxymoron and my face scrunches up as I try to put these words together. [Ok, it's not attractive, but it's how I know that my brain is working hard!]

Giving feels good, but being generous feels joyful. Giving often feels like a 'should', while generosity is a gift from heart. Giving is a 'doing' while generosity is a 'being'. Giving is an action and generosity a trait. Giving seems to imply scarcity while generosity implies reserves. Giving is often about you while generosity shifts focus to receiver. Giving can often have strings, but generosity feels unconditional. Giving is one way, while generosity encompasses receiving as well. I'm sure you will come up with many more distinctions as you start thinking about this and applying it to your own life.

I have been 'trying on' this concept for a few weeks now. I can only say that I feel a lightness that I haven't felt for a long time. As I write this, I am realizing that before this shift, giving felt like a compulsion. But being generous of spirit is a choice that I make freely, a gift from my heart that leaves me feeling whole.

Each person is more susceptible to certain kind of thoughts than others. Certain thoughts and ideas we ignore, and others spur us to immediate action. Thoughts concerning subjects we love have more power on us than other thoughts, but even thoughts and ideas that we don’t care about, if we are frequently exposed to them, eventually sink into subconscious mind and influence us.

Everyone has desires, ambitions and dreams that he or she may foster from childhood. They may be thoughts of parents, teachers and friends, and which have lodged into our minds, and are carried around throughout our lives. Are they necessary? Do we need all this excessive baggage?

In order to reduce power of outside influences and thoughts on your life, you need to be aware of thoughts and desires that enter your mind, and ask yourself whether you really like them, and are willing to accept them into your life. Analyze your motives and actions, and you will be surprised to find out that many of them were triggered by outside influences.

You do not have to accept each and every thought, idea or information. Think and find out whether you entertain certain thoughts because you decided to do so, or because they just popped into your head due to outside influences.

Learn not to accept every thought that you encounter. Find first whether it is for your own good to follow it. It may not be so easy at start, because mind will revolt against this control. If you want to be master of your mind and life, you should not let other people’s thoughts, desires and motives rule your life, unless you consciously choose so.

Remez Sasson writes and teaches about spiritual growth, meditation, positive thinking, creative visualization and mind power, and issues a biweekly ezine, "Consciousness and Success". He is the author of two books, "Will power and Self-Discipline" and "Visualize and Achieve".