Parisa Fitz-Henley Instagram – “I receive that.” One of the most important sentences I’ve ever learned. The first time I heard it was from my dear friend, @HeatherMatarazzo, the first time we met. I gave Heather a compliment, and these words were her response. 💫 When I heard them, I felt something I wasn’t used to when praising another person. I felt the energy I gave flow through someone else and come back to me. It was beautiful. It stunned me. I was immediately grateful. We talked about it, and she shared about making a focussed effort to receive good things. I think about how often we don’t feel good about ourselves, or our lives. And how many times there may be an opportunity to feel encouraged that we miss because we shut it down. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard women in particular, when complimented, respond with something like “No, I’m not.” Or “No, YOU are.” (as if only one person at a time can be great). Perhaps this is in the name of humility or modesty, but I don’t think it really leads to either. It seems to lead to a deflated sense of self, which is no more truthful than an inflated one. Receiving a compliment or loving wishes or kind words benefits the receiver AND the giver. It’s a circuit unbroken, charging them both. But if it’s not received it fizzles. Heather’s example shifted my perspective and made me want to learn more and more about how to receive all the good things. In this spirit I want to share how beautiful a birthday experience I had by making an effort to absorb all the love that came my way. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR KIND SWEET LOVING WORDS FOR MY BIRTHDAY. I READ ✨AND RECEIVED✨ EVERY ONE I COULD GET TO AND WILL KEEP GOING. I’M SO GRATEFUL. MY HEART IS FULL. I HOPE YOU FEEL THE LOVE. 🙏💓🙏✨✨✨ Image description: A black background with a sparkling gold circle at the center. Inside the circle, in white, are the words “I receive that.”