There was a small boy trying to move a large, heavy rock out of his way. He was straining as he tried to lift it, and soon the tears fell down his cheeks. His Dad was watching him and asked his son if he was using all his strength to try to lift it. The son replied, ” Yes!” His Dad gently responded with , “No, you aren’t, you didn’t ask me to help you.”
How many times have we been like that little boy? No matter the weight of the problem, we tell ourselves we can handle it, we got it. We go about trying to handle it all on our own, while we stumble under the weight of it. Why is it so hard sometimes to lean on another for help? That’s what friends and family are for. We help each other out. While there are many of us who would help a friend at the drop of the hat, we aren’t as quick to be the ones to admit that we need help. To admit that we are tired and can’t do this on our own.
I know I wrote about this subject before on my blog, but reading that story just brought it back to my mind. It also took me back in time. Took me back to a time of where I vividly recall telling my Mom that I was done!
Without going into a lot of detail, let me just say that 2010 was a very hard year! It started out hard on January 1st and just kept going. It was the Fall of that year and the firemen had just left our house. Only one room was damaged, but that wasn’t the point. When my Mom hugged me, with tears in my eyes I told her that I was tired and done! I meant it. I was worn. I had dealt with a serious medical issue with my oldest daughter that year and this was the 2nd time that the firemen had been at our house that year.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that our family wouldn’t have made it through that time without the love and help of our family and friends!
It doesn’t matter how strong we think we are, no one is made to go through trials alone. It is not a sign of weakness to say, ” I can’t do this, I need help! !” It is actually a sign of strength I believe to admit when we need a helping hand. It also provides others the chance to be a blessing to us!
I will admit that it can be hard for me be on the other side. I would much rather be the one who spreads encouragement. Be the one who is making others smile.
Life has thrown some wild curve balls at me though. In those times I have had to admit that I can’t do this on my own. I have had to admit that more than once. This past year was another example of when I needed others to lean on. My heart is still full of gratitude for those who were there and who continue to be there.
If you find yourself struggling to move a heavy rock on your own, please reach out! Don’t rob someone of the blessing that they can be by helping you. Let that friend be your wings, while yours feel too broken to fly. Let them hold you while you cry, and let them guide you with their gentle words of encouragement. Let them be there for you. Most likely down the road sometime, you will have your turn at being their wings for them. That is what true friendship is all about!
I can relate to one thing after the other and being at and past the breaking point.
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I know you can! (((Hugs))))
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Hugs right back at you
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❤
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Excellent thoughts. While I am sure that we all tend to default to solving our own issues, I believe it is far more common with men. Possibly due to media/Hollywood stereotyping? Sadly, not admitting ones fallibility can lead to very regrettable actions. Somebody once said “No man is an island.” How very true that is.I am not perfect – You are not perfect – nobody reading this is perfect. We cannot always side-step problems, and we cannot always resolve them. To quote a well known song’s lyrics “That’s what friends are for!”
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Thank you my friend for your words and for proving the words , “That’s what friends are for!” 🙂 I did almost post that song, but was pushed for time.
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🙂
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Great post! That’s an excellent reminder. Hope things improve for you for the rest of this year.
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Thank you very much!!
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Such a great message! So true! I don’t know where I’d be without my “tribe” of support! 🙂
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❤ ❤
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This is a wonderful post, and so right on target!
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Thank you very much for your kind words.
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Be blessed!
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Sometimes I think it’s hard to ask for help because of fear of criticism. That’s not a realistic fear though, because people usually like to be helpful and spread encouragement, as you say. Good post!
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Thanks Meg!
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Good ‘thinking’ post. I never have trouble helping someone else move their rock. My problem is that after I have been burned by a special person I assume will be there to help, I tend to keep pushing that rock because I refuse to ask again. Right? Wrong? I don’t know but each time you hit that rock, you do have to play with the cards you are dealt with.
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Thanks for your comments! I am sorry about the experience you had with being burned. Unfortunately that is a risk we take with friendships. I have been there and it does hurt and makes you scared to reach out again to anyone. BUT the rewards are there when I take that leap.
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Love this post and it resonates a lot with me. I know exactly what you mean. Reaching out is so incredibly hard and then it’s humbling to experience the love and support of the people you reached out to for help. Xoxo
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Thanks so much for your comment and yes you are very right. It is a humbling experience! Rewarding but humbling. ❤
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Thank you for this!
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You are welcome! Thanks for reading and for letting me know it touched you. Have a great day!
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Terrific post. Sometimes we’re afraid to ask for help because we think it’s not ‘the done thing’ and we should manage on our own. We’ve all done it at sometime or another, sometimes with dire consequences.
If I may, I wrote this three years ago on a similar theme.
https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2014/04/30/old-friend/
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Thank you very much for your comment!
I read your post and left a comment on your site. Thanks for the link. It was sad, but yes shows what can happen when you don’t reach out!
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Thank you for taking the time to read it.
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You are welcome. Thank you for taking the time to read my post. Welcome to my site! Its a little bit of everything on here, hope you enjoy it! 🙂
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Sometimes, I wish someone would just bring over tacos. (I’d return the favor.)
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I love tacos!
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I love the idea behind this post. Tacos are just one (delicious) way to tell someone you care.
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Thank you very much and welcome to my blog! Hope you enjoy it.
Grab a taco as you sit back and read. 🙂
Yes, there are so many ways to show that you care. So thankful for the ones in my life that have showed me.
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I struggle with this quite a bit – particularly when it comes to my family. I have a small circle of friends I know that I can turn to, but with life it can be hard to want to interrupt (even if I know it wouldn’t be a problem). I just posted about an idea I’ve been pondering recently, and now reading this it occurs to me that one of my major hesitations is just this! It would require asking for help from people I’m hesitant to ask for whatever reason. Interesting and certainly something to add to all the thoughts swirling around. Thanks so much for sharing – I’m always sure to find something thought provoking here and I so appreciate that you share these posts! ❤
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Thanks so much for your kind words about my posts! So glad that this one could be so timely for you!
(((Hugs))) to you as your thoughts swirl. Hope some clarity will come and you will have the courage to ask for help to move your rock, if that is what is needed. ❤
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