The Dance of Giving and Receiving with Grace

Have you ever felt so deeply connected in a moment of giving or receiving that it was impossible to tell who was giving and who was receiving? Those moments, rare and radiant, are full of energy. They’re overflowing with grace, joy, and connection. That’s the dance of giving and receiving when it flows from the heartspace.

Let’s dance with that for a moment.

Now, let me preface: I’m in no way qualified to talk about actual dancing. Sure, I can shake my groove thing, but rhythm? Not so much. Still, when we speak of dance here, we’re talking about the rhythm and movement of life—the emotional, energetic flow between giving and receiving. The natural circulation or flow of life and love.

The Ebb and Flow of Life

Life is always in motion. It never stops playing its music. But sometimes, we get stuck. Stuck in thoughts that tell us we’re not worthy, stuck in resentment because we’ve given too much, or stuck in comparison because someone else seems to be receiving more. These thoughts disconnect us from the natural flow.

But here’s the beautiful truth: the music hasn’t stopped. Life is still inviting you to dance. Grace is your invitation back onto the floor.

Grace says you’re never too off-key, too far gone, or too broken to return to love.

A Story from the Picnic Table

I grew up in a Catholic family, and every summer, the big event was the Parish Picnic. Picture it: an endless dessert table, a lineup of 2-liter soda bottles in every neon color, and a raffle with the most coveted prizes—two Schwinn ten-speed bikes.

One year, little seven-year-old me—Lindsay Hughes—heard her name called first.

Everyone waited to see: Would she pick the yellow or the silver bike?

I walked right past both. My eyes were on something else: a Cabbage Patch Doll.

I didn’t hesitate. I received it fully and freely. I didn’t worry what others would think, what the bike was worth, or what my parents might say. My heart knew exactly what it wanted.

A few years later, I might not have made that same choice. The self-consciousness crept in: What will people think? What should I do? That’s when we step off the Love Train—that natural flow of giving and receiving from the heart.

What Gets in the Way?

Let’s be honest. Giving and receiving can feel complicated.

What keeps us from receiving?

• Feeling unworthy.

• Thinking we’ve already given too much.

• Comparing what we have to what others have.

• Believing we don’t deserve more.

And what about giving?

• Fear there won’t be enough left for us.

• Judgment or reluctance.

• Worrying how it will be received.

But when we release those thoughts and return to love, we return to grace. And grace is where abundance lives.

Biblical Wisdom Meets Everyday Grace

In Luke 6:38, we read:"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure—pressed down, shaken together and running over—will be poured into your lap."

In Luke’s gospel, we get a beautiful metaphor. In ancient marketplaces, when someone bought grain, the seller would press it down, shake it, and pour in more until it overflowed. That’s divine generosity. That’s God’s love.

Spiritually, this speaks to the law of circulation: what you give, you receive—often in greater measure.

• Giving isn’t just money. It’s love, time, attention, kindness, presence.

• Receiving fully honors the giver. Just like the person who takes their time crossing the street after you’ve stopped for them, looks you in the eye, and waves with gratitude.

It’s not arrogance. It’s grace. And that grace makes you want to give even more.

The Love Train Is Always Running

So the question becomes: Am I on the Love Train today, or am I stuck on the platform of resentment, comparison, or fear?

That train—the flow of divine love—is always moving. Always on time. Grace is your ticket back on board.

I still carry that moment at the parish picnic with me. The cabbage patch doll reminded me: what we choose from the heart is always enough. Years later, by the way, I did get my Schwinn Caliente—pink and perfect.

When we live from love, all things come in their own time.

A Few Truths to Take With You

• Your thoughts create your reality. What we think about, we bring about.

• Boundaries help keep us in rhythm. They let us give and receive with intention.

• Grace is the ever-present love of God. There is no place where God is not.

Let’s begin to interpret others with more generosity. Assume good intentions. Lead with love.

Let’s tap into grace, bring awareness to our thoughts, and give and receive from the overflowing abundance of our hearts.

So, let’s do this—are you ready to hop on that Love Train?

Because giving and receiving with grace isn’t just a spiritual idea.It’s a way of being.It’s a way of dancing with life.

And so it is.

Listen to this and more on my Life Recipes and Meditations Podcast from Spotify.