Such simple words to utter on a walkie talkie, and yet such a tricky thing to do as real life grown ups. Receiving the love and trust and help of those around us can sometimes be incredibly challenging.
Maybe it’s just me, but growing up, being the eldest daughter, the culture of the 80s, the position of Mars, all these factors combined to make me into a very independent person. This has served me well through many of life’s hurdles, but it also left me in a position where asking for help felt like giving up, felt like weakness.
It took a lot of life’s beat-downs, and some major upheaval (even trauma at times) to bring me to my knees and recognise that I actually needed help. And out of this came a massive gift. From the depths of despair came a kind of healthy dependency on others.
Along with recognition of our vulnerability and inter-dependence comes a trust that if someone is unable to help, or unwilling for that matter, that they can tell us. They can say no. And that’s ok.
The most beautiful thing that can happen out of a cry for help is that we are allowing someone the opportunity to be there for us. By inviting support from those we love we acknowledge that we are all connected, whether we are fully conscious of this or not. Truth is, these connections are what allow us to fulfil our ultimate purpose – to be there for each other.
When a friend or loved one asks me to help them they give me a blessing, an opportunity to live out my greater purpose and be there for another human being, live my human purpose to actively love others. This is true recognition of the ties that bind us beautifully together.
Alena Turley is an Australian mentor for mothers. Founder of the pioneering blog, the Soul Mama Hub, her wellbeing membership offers a powerful pathway for mothers ready to go from over-extended, stuck in the daily grind, to empowered, inspired and energised so they can become the CHANGEMAKERS they dream of being.