Good Morning!
This is your friendly reminder that you don’t need to be great at everything! No, really…you don’t! In this Pinterest world we live in, it can sometimes feel like if someone else can do it…than so can I! In so many cases that might be true…but do you even want to do it? If you want to do it…try something new and take it on! But sometimes I think we are just trying to prove something. It’s almost as if there is some kind of shame in not possessing every skill that our friends have!
My six year old son, Ryker, gets frustrated when he can’t do the same things people with much more experience or that are much older can do. Over and over, I talk him through tears and explain to him that everyone has to start somewhere! Sometimes he will avoid doing things at all, because he knows he won’t be automatically amazing at it. The times when I can get through to him and he will let me help him…he always ends up being so pleased with the outcome and himself! And…I always get a huge neck squeeze and “I love you, Mom” at the end of it! Truthfully, I have always tried to blame this personality trait on my husband…but I have begun to realize that I do this same thing!
I am a very independent person and definitely prefer to work alone. Now, while this is not really a character flaw, it can prevent me from the the awesome experience of receiving help and from the gift I can give my friend by asking for their help!
That’s right…the blessing of asking for help! I almost choke on those words, because this is so very hard for me! I hate asking for help and do it as little as possible! But as I get older, I have realized that one of my greatest joys is being able to help a friend out…especially if I get to use my talents in the process! It has taken me awhile to understand that I’m actually stealing that joy away from people when I always decline offers of help. I want to do better at accepting help and also better about reaching out when I know that someone has a gift that I don’t have and asking them to share it with me!
For instance, when friends ask me to help them with arranging furniture in a room or decorating help. I actually feel like I’m gonna burst with happiness the whole time I’m helping them! It feels so good to know that your gifts are valuable to someone! Why wouldn’t I want to pass on that same feeling to another friend?!
So, this is an area I am trying to grow in! I want to recognize when I need help and ask for it! I have several summer projects on my list that I plan on reaching out for help with! I want to actively notice the gifts my friends have and use them when I can! The bonus in all this is spending time with a friend!
Do you have a hard time asking for help or does your pride keep you from accepting help when it’s offered? Tell me about it your experiences with asking for help…was it positive?
-Vanessa
