Last Monday a wonderful couple came to our home to claim their one hour consultation with me.
A friend of theirs had purchased one hour of my consulting time (which I don’t do anymore) and gave it to them as a gift for last Christmas. They then made an appointment with my office and waited until the day arrived.
Marj and Paul Barlow were right on time. They smiled big and radiated love and good vibes. Nerissa and I instantly liked them.
We sat around the kitchen table, made small talk for a few minutes, and then I was ready to get down to business.
“How can I help you?” I asked.
Marj looked at me and said words that shook me:
“We’re here just to say thank you.”
I stumbled around for something to say.
Marj went on to explain that they have never gotten as much value from any books or audios or talks as they have gotten from my work.
I still didn’t know what to say.
She went on to say they had heard me speak last year at one of the Austin events. They had their picture taken with me and used it as a vision board. Their goal was to get to spend time with me.
If you look at the photo above (left click on it to enlarge it), you’ll see their vision board picture in it. Their goal did in fact come true.
You have to imagine my predicament:
These people used a $2,500 consultation hour to tell me how grateful they are for my work.
I had to sit there and take it.
On top of that, they gave me books as gifts, including one Marj wrote, The Possible Woman.
For most people, receiving is hard.
It pushes our buttons of deservingness.
It makes us squirm.
It made me squirm, too.
But receiving is part of the flow of life. There’s giving, and there’s receiving. There has to be. It doesn’t work any other way.
I loved my time with Marj and Paul, and count them as new friends in our lives.
Where in your life are you not giving — and where in your life are you not allowing receiving?
Ao Akua,
Joe
www.mrfire.com
PS — In the course of conversation, I mentioned that Nerissa’s birthday was the next day. Well, Paul and Marj sent her flowers. She, too, had to experience receiving. There are lessons here for all of us.
8 Comments
What a wonderful post. What made you squirm Joe?? You receive here on you web site and verble thanks from your fans. Was it because of the gift of a meeting with you at $2500 that put a real value on the thanks? Not just words. I think that the dollar value attached elevated the thanks to a new level. That put the squirm in the thanks. Is is all part of the flow. Glad you were made to squirm because you do so much for so many of us trying to make it all work. This could be a start of a new audio, “Clearing to Receive”
Ah Joe you always, always take us up- thank you so much- you get to the stomach in less words than anyone I know…and it is because you are so real and dealing with such real issues. Recieving is tough sometimes…doing it properly…not easy.
Whole love to you and everyone -DrD
😀 I’m so glad I took an extra moment to enlarge the photo taken with you and the Barlows, Joe. There is a sparkle, an intensity of joy/love in your eyes that I hadn’t been gifted to see before! [Not to be confused with suggesting you haven’t experienced that before.]
Consistently, you used the most powerful method of teaching others in your post: you modeled your humanity and your process!
You noticed all your feelings and thoughts in reaction to having your expectations erased in a moment;
you noticed the void that followed; and, remaining open,
allowing your heart to open so fully to them that you became a kindred light to theirs.
Continued thanks for sharing your life lessons with me and all who read your posts!
Lovingly,
Lauralyn
What a GREAT story! I just absolutely loved it. I appreciate that you took time to tell us about Paul and Marj. You have taught us, Joe, how expecting to receive what we want is a given when we live in gratitude and spend time loving people without regard to personal gain. Because it pays emotional dividends that transmute to monetary equal.
That’s why my friend Butch and I teach network marketers simple skills for free. We get paid, but very indirectly. Makes all kinds of sense. Thank you again. And again….
Lisa
Mentor With A Servant’s Heart
Your time with us was magical and miraculous, Joe. Paul’s inspiration to follow the genius concept you gave about his book has resulted in several pages of writing, for which we both are very grateful. I am “posimistic” about our future. Our son coined that word from positive and optimistic.
Nerissa’s photography is excellent and the comments she made were invaluable and deeply appreciated. Watching her with your dog, Wolfie, was heart warming. Altogether, we will never forget that day!
AND, today I heard from a friend who found me by reading your blog. We will get in touch and revisit old times from the 80’s in Corpus Christi, Tx.
What goes around truly does come around. We love you. We thank you. from Marj (& Paul)
This touched me and made my eyes get a little wet and heart expand. You attractred a couple who matches your high loving energy. Today as I was reading one of your blog posts, can’t remember which one, I was actually smiling because the source of who you are on within can be felt.
Thanks for sharing this story and your squirming! 😀
Marie
Joe, In need of some inspiration , I popped over to your blog … I LOVE this post. BEAUTIFUL. Has put a big smile on my face.:lol:
You deserve everything you receive.
Keep up the inspiring work ! With a big hug all the way from Paris 🙂
Elinor