Can I ask you for something?

Many of you have heard me say that most of us could use some upgrading in our ability to ask for help, and to receive it.

In fact, this is one of the main reasons we have been building community for the past 12 years. Because we need one another. Because you can’t do life all alone. Because we actually get joy and satisfaction from helping each other.

The bigger question for me today is this: can I let myself feel joy in asking for your help, and feel really good about doing it?

Lately I’ve been paying more attention to the moments when I feel resistance to doing what I preach.

I start to notice the quiet voices in my head.

Am I being a nuisance? What if I ask and no one responds? Will I feel rejected? Am I asking too much? "People are busy. They won’t have the time, so don’t ask and make them uncomfortable."

Then there are the other voices.

"You can do this on your own." "You don’t have to let people know you really, really need their help right now. Just send out the information, cross your fingers, and hope a few people show up."

So I’m working hard at hearing these voices and asking myself one question: "Oh, is that so?"

It’s the verbal equivalent of pausing, taking a breath, and really noticing what I’m thinking and feeling before I react, or fall prey to the limiting beliefs that run around in my brain some days.

I asked myself that question today when I noticed how much I was resisting writing to you to ask for help. All kinds of thoughts popped up. At bottom, every one of them wanted me to avoid being vulnerable.

The email went on from here, and I did ask our community for help. That part was for the people on our list.

Michael & Penny