In pretty much any religious tradition, giving is an important spiritual practice. But that spiritual practice is only available if there are those who receive, which means that gracious receiving is a parallel spiritual gift.
How do you bless others through gracious receiving?
I try, sometimes very difficult, to keep the material gift unopened until I have sent my formal THANK YOU to the giver and then after, in some other way of communication, to explain how, why and/or when I was able to enjoy the gift. Sometimes I combine these two ways together, that is, I eat that chocolate right then and explain how delicious it was as I send my THANK YOU!!
Many years ago, I read that, when someone pays you a compliment, like “Love that outfit,” and you reply with something like, “Oh, this old thing,” you may think you are being modest, but to the other person, it can seem like you are insulting their taste. And then people ask, “But what can I say to a compliment?” The answer is so simply. Just say, “Thank you,” and smile. Gracious receiving without aggrandisement.
Margaret, you are so right!