By Pheralyn Dove
I often seek wise counsel from my 91-year-old aunt, Miss Rhoda Dingle. She is a retired school teacher. She is agile and her mind is as sharp as ever.
Asking for help does
not mean you’re weak. It’s a sign
of intelligence.
Sometimes we may feel embarrassed. Other times it may be pride. Or not enough money. Then again, many of us delude ourselves into thinking we can do it all on our own, that we don’t need anyone else. We soldier on. We suffer in silence. Yet we all know you can’t get through this life without the help of others. Even if it’s money that’s holding you back. Please. Say your prayers. Ask for divine intervention. Listen for the signs and act upon them.
Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help, especially if it’s your mental health and emotional wellbeing that’s at stake. Wise people seek wise counsel and competent assistance as a way of life. Take for instance world famous Olympian Simone Biles. During the July 2020 Tokyo Olympic games, Simone withdrew from competing in five of the six finals she had qualified for.
This amazing, stand-up woman has been widely quoted as saying, “I have to focus on my mental health. We have to protect our minds and our bodies, not just go out and do what the world wants us to…I have to put my pride aside. I have to do what’s right for me and focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and well-being.” Amen, my dear Sister!
Thank you for that brave gesture, Simone. Can you think of a time when you asked for help and reaped the benefits? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
(Note: A version of this post appeared on my previous blog, “Sacred Journey to Self-Love.”)