This moon time focuses on the next stage after giving in the link between reciprocity and abundance – that is asking. Asking opens the door for you to get things that you need – whatever they are, including money or assistance.

Last moon’s abundance tip focused on giving and how the very act of giving creates abundance thinking, which in turn creates abundance. Therefore giving is the best, easiest, and incredibly power method of breaking scarcity thinking in your life.

This moon time focuses on the next stage, which is asking. Asking is an important stage to abundance thinking and reciprocity because it opens the door for you to get things that you need – whatever they are, including money or assistance.

However, culturally you may be conditioned not to ask for what you need and instead tough it out, do it yourself, be independent. Or as the worst case, ask for something. It’s really too bad that we’ve been conditioned not to ask for things, because by our nature, we are often very willing to assist someone and help out. Witness the support in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attack and the hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

To further our conditioning about asking is how we are taught to “ask” indirectly through other mechanisms, such as complaining. Perhaps we think, “If we don’t exactly ask for it, then they won’t resent doing it.” In reality, it’s quite the opposite, by complaining, “it’s cold in here” with the expectation that the person that heard will turn up the heat, we actually cause resentment or annoyance in that person. Maybe you say, “I never complain.” But maybe you “ask” by way of demanding, telling, hoping, wishing, hinting, or even being silent? Any and all of these mechanisms to get what we want do not set up a reciprocal relationship, but rather a relationship of resentment and discontent.

But realize that by never asking for things and only hinting to others when we really need things, we actually reinforce the notion that we must do everything for ourselves, which can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, or feelings of not having enough (time, etc.) to do what we need to do. In addition, we often begin to feel resentment that others haven’t read our minds and realized that we needed what we’d been hinting around about.

So take this moon time to first recognize what mechanisms you might use to get what you want that don’t include asking directly. Then practice replacing those other mechanisms with actually asking for what you want. Become aware of this practice of asking. If asking for things that you really need is too difficult at the beginning, then ask for things that aren’t important to you. That way, you can practice the act of asking without being attached to the answer.

As you practice asking for things, realize that you may receive what you ask for. Next moon’s Abundance Tip will cover receiving. Until then, say “Thank-you.”

Next Month: Abundance & reciprocity Part III – Receiving