She Strengthens

The Power of Asking: A Lesson in Humility and Gratitude

As I scrolled through my social media feed, I stumbled upon a post that rubbed me the wrong way. The author claimed that if you’re alive, you should have health insurance; if you have kids, you should have life insurance; and if you own a home, you should have homeowner’s insurance. The implication was that if you’re struggling financially, it’s your own fault. But as someone who’s experienced the harsh realities of illness and uncertainty, I couldn’t disagree more.

The Unpredictability of Life

My husband and I have been battling cancer for six years. Despite having health insurance, we’ve accumulated a staggering amount of medical bills. We’ve had to make impossible choices between paying for treatment and paying our rent. It’s a constant struggle to stay afloat. And yet, when we finally reached out for help, our community responded with open arms.

The Stigma of Asking

There’s a perception that asking for help is a sign of weakness or failure. But what if I told you that asking requires courage, vulnerability, and trust? It’s not about begging or demanding; it’s about being humble and genuinely grateful for the support you receive. As Amanda Palmer so eloquently puts it, “When you ask, there’s always the possibility of a ‘no’ on the other side of the request. If we don’t allow for that no, we’re not actually asking, we’re either begging or demanding.”

The Beauty of Community

When we asked for help, our community transformed into a safety net of love and support. Friends set up fundraising pages, cooked meals, and drove us to chemo appointments. Strangers sent messages of encouragement and prayers. It was a humbling experience, but it also reminded us that we’re not alone. We’re all in this together.

The Importance of Gratitude

Asking for help is not about expecting others to foot the bill for our problems. It’s about recognizing that we’re all human, and sometimes we need a hand up. When we receive help, we should be grateful, not entitled. We should acknowledge the sacrifices others make for us and pay it forward whenever possible.

Breaking Down Barriers

Asking for help can be uncomfortable, but it’s essential to break down the barriers that separate us. When we ask, we open ourselves up to connection, empathy, and understanding. We realize that we’re not alone in our struggles, and that others have been where we are.

A Call to Action

So, the next time you see a crowdfunding campaign or a friend in need, don’t be quick to judge. Remember that asking for help takes courage, and responding with kindness takes compassion. Let’s create a world where we can ask for help without fear of rejection or judgment. Let’s build a community that lifts each other up, rather than tearing each other down.