Over the last month I have been “asking” for votes to help me advance in the Next Top Spiritual Author Competition. It wasn’t easy for me to ask. Maybe it’s not easy for you, either.  It brought up all sorts of issues and feelings in me…beholden, obligated, imposing. Perhaps you share some of the same feelings that I experienced when I “asked” for a vote.  I did not see it as an equal energy exchange. I felt I was asking and giving nothing in return. I discounted myself, not realizing that perhaps I was offering a gift by the simple act of asking. Unlike the feeling of power in being the “giver” bestowing gifts upon others I felt sheepish, demure, cowering. I had become the unworthy beggar.

Until I realized… Asking carries a vibration of energy. In the process of asking for votes for the Next Top Spiritual Author competition I awakened to the “aha” moment of “Gift Given – Gift Received” − a term I used throughout my book, Journey OM, A Soul Journeyer’s Adventure. And, here it was again “Gift Given – Gift Received”  the guiding principle on my pilgrimage. This simple concept changed my perception in asking for a vote. And, it changed the results! Out of 2,800 participants in the Next Top Spiritual Author contest I am in the top 250.

Does how we ask influence what we receive? YES! 

• If we ask with the energy of imposing upon others the person will feel imposed upon.   
• If we ask with the energy of ‘taking” the person becomes wary of what he is giving away and becomes possessive and holds on. We both become restricted: I do not receive the vote, and the vibration shuts down their spirit of generosity in the person being asked.
• If we ask with the energy of not being worthy to receive someone’s assistance do we become the beggar? Do we give away our power?

What if our asking carries the vibration of opportunity to co-create? Opportunity knocking. What if our simple gesture of asking gives the person the opportunity to share their point of view expanding their knowing and wisdom?  Asking becomes a beautiful form of giving an opportunity of more grace.

Imagine if… every time we ask for someone’s help we express our request infused with the energy of offering them a gift; the gift of opening to the grace of generosity? What if every time we ask we are offering an opportunity to merge their energy with ours and join the swell of energy created by collaboration? Our asking allows their energy to ride the waves of energy created by a like-minded consciousness and move their projects exponentially into the field of possibility.  In this view, is it not a sacred gift to ask from others? And if we ask with the knowing that we are giving as well as receiving imagine the energy shift that occurs and the bountiful harvest we will receive from our requests?

When I began to ask in the spirit of giving it changed me and propelled my circle of friends to ask their friends and their friends to vote for me. Because I asked in the vibration of giving, their asking carried the vibration of generosity and my votes increased. How different the outcome would have been if I had remained the unworthy beggar imposing on others to take their vote and forever be beholden!

Now when I ask I carry the vibration of opportunity. It changes the spectrum of how I feel when I ask and how it is received. The stream of consciousness opens in co-celebration.

So once again I will be rallying your support and asking for you vote as I advance with 250 participants vying for the final twenty-five top positions in Round 2. Voting begins May 25^th. Will you vote for me to be The Next Top Spiritual Author?  Will you celebrate with me the gift of giving and receiving?

Wishing you Peace All Ways,
Shima