I have needed a lot of help lately.
I have needed help moving (multiple times), I have needed places to stay, I have needed mental and emotional support, I have needed places to keep my animals and store my belongings. So. Much. Help.
And I’m just going to come out and admit that I’m not very good at asking for help, I’m not very comfortable with needing help, and I very much prefer to be the person helping others. But there you have it. This is life.
In the midst of all of this help, I have learned a lot about myself.
I have learned that needing help and asking for help does not make me weak. I have learned that I don’t need to feel ashamed for needing help, although it is a humbling experience. I always knew I had some amazing friends and family, but needing so much help from so many people has really reinforced how blessed I am by the people in my life.
I have learned that it’s difficult to be without my horses, but it’s not completely impossible. I have learned that I can adjust to whatever my situation calls for… even if it means living in an apartment. I have learned I am strong.
On one such occasion of ‘needing help’, I told a close friend of mine that I was tired of needing to be rescued. He responded, “I’m not rescuing you, I’m helping you.” That distinction has become paramount to me lately.
I need help. But this is temporary, I’ll have my feet under me again in no time. And in 6 months or a year when I look back on this time, I’ll know it was difficult and I’ll know that because of it, I have come out wiser, stronger, and kinder.
A huge, heartfelt “thank you” to all who have helped me. I hope I can do the same for you someday.
“Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it.”
2 Comments
You say you like helping people. Consider that you are helping them feel good about helping you. Think of how they feel watching you struggle trying to be brave knowing that they have time and resources and want to share with someone they care about.
Sharing is Caring!
I feel the same way about asking for help, I feel needy somehow, not capable. But good friends want to help and it’s not a burden. I know how good it makes me feel to help others, and we deny people that gift when we struggle to ask for help. So many projects I didn’t get done this summer as I moved the animals and set up our move from the other end. Always needed another set of hands. But now it was so worth it. Hang in there, it’s a growing experience, no matter the age or stage of life we find ourselves in
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