What if asking for help is an act of giving?
It is one of the hardest things to do it seems. In asking for help we are afraid that we might be burdening others, or that our wish will go unanswered leaving us feeling disappointed…again. Or maybe we feel that if we ask for help we will be judged as incompetent, giving our boss reason to not grant us that raise. Or perhaps we don’t want to feel vulnerable, and admit to ourselves that maybe we don’t have all the answers and can’t do it alone.
It also doesn’t help when we live in a society that says giving is better than receiving, putting ourselves first is bad or selfish, and we must be strong. Asking for help can feel vulnerable.
So what if asking for help is an act of giving?
When we ask for help we give people the opportunity to give. And giving feels good, and is good for the soul. By asking we invite people to temporarily look beyond themselves, show compassion and extend their gifts and resources. The same is true for us – we open ourselves to others, show compassion for our needs and limits, and relieve the stress of doing it alone.
We strengthen our interconnectedness with others, and build community one relationship at a time. And we support each other, and ourselves, to be human, versus superhuman, and to act with humility and empathy.
“A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.” ~ Knights of Pythagoras
Open yourself to others and let go of what cannot be done alone. Where can you ask for help? Where can you receive the offerings from others in your life today?
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Related Reading:
15 Ways to Say No
15 Ways to Express Needs & Desires
Related Training:
Conscious Communication