Copy of Things Cities Teach Us
I read this in my twitter feed this morning from Adam Grant.
The thought made me think about my own struggle with asking for and accepting help from others. Somewhere along the way I learned to offer help but not ask for it. I am growing into new thoughts and actions related to this but there’s more room for change.
I thought about the activities that we do to challenge our selves. I’m currently training for my first marathon and Kim and I are training for a 37km trail race. As I reflect on Adam’s thought today I realize that while I say, “I’m training for a marathon” the training actually includes our entire family. My two older kids help babysit their brother while we are churning out miles on training runs. They are more understanding when my energy is lower after a long run and because I choose to share my stats with them they encourage me to continue. I’m slogging out the miles but my family is helping.
I thought about rock climbers: those who free solo. No ropes or anchors or safety equipment. Certainly they need and receive no help. What about the training and mentoring they’ve received along the way. How would we classify the encouragement and support they receive for them to be out on the rock face challenging norms. It seems even those who attempt to find solitude in a challenge are receiving help even when it’s not noticed.
We all want to be a gift to others. That manifests in giving to others and helping them when they are vulnerable. It’s a great feeling to offer support and help to another and share with them. Today, thanks to Adam Grant I am thinking about the gift of asking for help and offering others the opportunity to give. It’s hard for me to think about and seems selfish. Maybe it’s my own ego getting in the way. Certainly I need help. We all need the assistance of others. Acting on that need involves telling my ego to get out of the way and give others room to step in and offer their gifts while deepening relationships.
Sounds like an opportunity to take a few deep breaths and say “yes” more often to the help that is readily available.