I used to date a girl.

Really nice girl. Gorgeous. Witty. Fit. Super smart.

We met on Match and had our first date over spicy margaritas at a local pizza joint. At first, she seemed a little tense. But once she loosened up we had a blast.

We talked. We laughed. We ordered another round. Things were looking good.

When it was time to part ways, she went back to being tense. She insisted she pay for her drinks. I mean, really insisted!

Being the chivalrous man my Mom raised me to be, I told her I appreciated her offer but would take care of it. Thanks.

Still, no luck.

Fortunately, our bartender was holding onto my card and had already charged me for both of our drinks. Dodged that bullet. Phew!

Over the next few weeks, we met up again and again. Drinks. Dinner. Arcade games.

But this same issue kept coming up.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind being on the receiving end of a paid-for dinner here and there. She even picked up the tab for our second date. Very nice of her.

It just seemed like every time a bill landed on our table, she would launch into combat mode.

Her: You don’t have to pay for me.

Me: I know I don’t have to. But I want to.

Her: Nooooooooooooooooo!!!

Me: ((sigh))

Not only did she not want me to pay for anything she ate or drank, but she also “hated it” when I opened her door, pulled out her chair, or did anything a gentleman would do.

It threw me for a loop, to say the least. I mean, I’ve been on my fair share of dates and had never encountered anything like this before.

So at some point I had to look her square in the eye, bill in hand, and tell her how I felt about this…

I told her that when I paid the bill (or pulled out her chair) I was honoring her and offering her a gift with no expectation of anything in return. It’s just who I am. And when she continually declined my gift, it kinda bummed me out and felt like a rejection.

She acknowledged that she understood what I was saying and how I was feeling, but nothing ever changed.

Like I said, I used to date a girl.

I think we’ve all done this before. We’re out to lunch with a friend or colleague, the bill comes, and we fight over who pays it.

“I got it.”

“No, I got it.”

“No really, I got it. I insist.”

“Okay, thanks. I’ll get the next one.”

Sound familiar? Typically, the only way we relent to accepting the gift is by acknowledging how we feel indebted. We promise to “get the next one.”

Maybe it’s a habit. Or just a polite out-to-eat tradition we learned somewhere.

Yet seldom do we ever consider how it makes the giver feel when we’re so resistant to receiving. Instead of simply being open to accepting the gift and giving thanks, we turn it into an IOU. We receive, but with stipulations.

Today’s podcast guest, Emmanuel Dagher, author of Easy Breezy Prosperity, reminds us that receiving is just as important as giving. That in order to be prosperous in all aspects of our lives, we must focus on strengthening our receiving muscles. To honor the giver and embrace this golden opportunity to express our gratitude. With no strings attached.

Emmanuel shares the incredible, inspiring story that set him on his path of bringing more prosperity, confidence, and abundance into the lives of others.

If you enjoyed last week’s session with Bob Proctor, I know you’re gonna love this one!

Pick the PLAY button above to listen to Session #002 with Emmanuel Dagher.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

By the way, I have a dozen copies of Easy Breezy Prosperity to give away. Head on over to the Facebook page to find out how to enter to win a copy. It’s as easy as leaving a quick review on iTunes!