For many reasons, we are often afraid or too proud to ask for help. But we all need help from time to time, so it’s not only okay to ask for help, but we need to.
Today, I want to focus on the idea of offering help. As you probably know, it’s not that people don’t want help, they just hate asking for it. Or in some cases, are frustrated that they have to ask – that maybe someone (maybe you) should just know.
You maybe have been there before … You walk into the kitchen and you see a sink full of dishes. You also know that other people see it too, and it bothers you feel that others just assume you will do them! Or you resent the fact that you have to ask.
So if we flip that around, one of the most loving and supportive things we can do is not wait to be asked, but to frequently ask if you can help. Or better yet, say, “I’d like to help you, what can I do?” In that case you are not so much asking IF you can help – helping them is a given – you are just asking WHAT you can help them with.
And even if someone doesn’t take you up on your offer, it can be very meaningful that you made that gesture. So that’s your challenge today – with someone you care about, don’t wait to be asked to help, but rather ask someone how you can help them.
**Eric has his Masters in Counseling and when not on B105.7, works as a private practice counselor.**
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Daisy-Daisy
