Four times in 18 hours, I've experienced the power of asking. As a fundraiser, I learned to ask with pride for what I cared about. As a hermit on a mountain with my sweetie, most of the time, what I want is already all around me. But when we travel, we have to ask. Asking journeys us. Asking is its own journey. Four times, I have been reminded that I get what I ask for. I may not always get what I ask for. I may also get what I didn't realize I asked for. But I seldom get what I'm after if I do not ask. And G-d doesn't hate me, nothing bad happens to me, whereas the good can come into my life. If I will ask. Humble myself and let the power of asking come through me. Those who have ears, let them hear. And those who needed to read this: this power is yours for the asking.

There is power in deeply receiving. Over the past 24 hours, I have received shameful praise for things I deeply wanted to be recognized about me. It was so hard for me to receive. Fortunately, I have a couple of brilliant coaches and one of them helped me see what I was protecting and start to free myself from it (old armor). So I could let in the praise--and also let it go, rather than resist and then hoard it.

So much beauty and goodness may pass us by because we find it hard to receive it. This is understandable: we live in a world where armoring feels necessary much of the time. I don't know to counsel you to drop all of your own protections; I only know I am dropping mine, piece by clanging piece, and bowing to the power of my own receiving. Those who have ears, let them hear. And those who needed to read this: this power is also yours. Blessings in your receiving.