Practice receiving. Accept help when others offer it. Giving and receiving are the natural energies in our world and in the universe.

For one month, practice receiving everything people offer you. Just say, “Thank you,” and you will be amazed at how much people give you just because they want to give. I receive about 99% of what people offer me and I have a great abundance. I know I am a giver, therefore I am a receiver.

I hear many people saying they need more money, a new car, another house. But when someone offers them a piece of gum, they say, “No.” Well, I would say, “Yes,” even though I might not want the gum myself that minute. I would keep the energy flowing and upon seeing a friend I might say, “Do you want a piece of gum?” And he would say, “I have been wanting a piece of gum all day.”

Or, you might say, “Who cares about a silly piece of gum? I want more money.” But how are you going to accept more money, if you can't accept something as small as a piece of gum? For one month, receive everything that is offered to you and watch your life flourish with abundance.

As young children growing up, we are molded physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. As we become adults, it takes an immense amount of effort and energy to change our lives. We have the same life patters and they are usually rigid and restrictive. We have the same posture and body movements at work and at home. When we do a new movement or play ball with our friends or kids, our bodies experience pain. We say, “I must be getting old,” when it would be more accurate to say, “ I am experiencing pain because I haven't been taking care of my body.”

When we stop exercising and stop taking care of our bodies, our overall movements become fewer and smaller. The saying, “What we do not use, we lose,” is true. If you do not take care of your body, your connective tissue grows short, brittle and calcified. Your joints pull tight and become constricted. The combination of right exercise, such as Pilates, yoga, proper strength training and body massage, can help us enjoy a vibrancy and gracefulness throughout our lives.

When we take care of our bodies, we change old, stiff tissue through strengthening, stretching and massage. While tissues become invigorated and elastic, the awkward, impaired movements become smooth and easy. A strong flexible body is the precursor of a strong, flexible mind.