One Conversation That Changed My Perspective on Life

As an adult, it’s hard to imagine how you came into this world—a small baby fully dependent on help and care from those around you. It’s probably not even something you think about, but without someone caring for your every single need, you couldn’t have survived. You didn’t even need to ask for help. It was simply provided to you.

As you grew up, you gradually became less and less dependent on others and more dependent on yourself. And now, how often do you find yourself asking others for help when you need it? Less often than you should? How often do you find yourself not asking for help when you need it? More often than you should?

Why has it become so commonplace to think we should be able to live our daily lives in a self-sufficient manner, never depending on or needing the help of others?

Personally, I used to believe our family could learn the skills and knowledge to be fully self-sufficient, raise our own food, and live off the land. We started a garden, bought some chickens, raised animals for meat, and even milked our own cow, but I struggled to keep up with it all. I quickly learned that if we ever needed to rely entirely on our own gardening and farming to survive, we would starve!

I’ll never forget a conversation I had with my grandpa about self-sufficiency. He lived during a time when you had no choice but to raise your own food to survive. I wondered how he did it all. I had to know the secret, so I asked him. The answer was community. Everyone in the community came together once every week to share and trade food so everyone’s needs could be met.

If we’re honest with ourselves, it’s often uncomfortable to need help from others; therefore, making it hard to ask. Somehow it’s easier to accept when others need a hand from us, and we have no hesitation in providing our help. However, when the situation is reversed, we quickly tell ourselves we can’t ask for—or even appear to need—help.

We can’t do it all. We can’t do it alone. We need each other.

So, here are a few lessons I’ve learned over the years that might give you a fresh perspective when it comes to asking for help:

Lesson 1

There’s a difference between carrying the burdens of others and carrying their responsibilities. Everyone must be willing to carry their own load, but we need to ask for help (and be willing to help others) when burdens are involved.

Lesson 2

We are created for community and interdependence. Everyone has different gifts and talents so we are able to help each other, but also receive the help we need in return.

Lesson 3

Pride is the main reason I will refuse to ask for help or accept help from others, and that is something I need less of. A humble heart is a beautiful thing and an honorable goal.

Lesson 4

When we receive the help of others, it brings us closer to each other.

Lesson 5

We go further and accomplish more when we are willing to ask for help.

With all that being said, I have to say I have the best support around me. Since starting Perfect Piece Organizing, I have had to learn so many new things about running a business, and really step outside my comfort zone on so many occasions to ask for help and advice. I have been showered with love and support, and would not be where I am today without the help of others.

I am so grateful, and I’m here to help you should you need it. All you have to do is ask.