Every once in a while when someone is sharing one or more of their life's experiences with me they will say: "Nobody helped me. . ." or "I had to do it by myself..." or something else along that vein. Although I don't test people who make these statements - I have some difficulty believing that they are true. Perhaps it's just a figure of speech.
I am of the personal opinion that unless you are the only person living on an island - you have had help in your life; unless of course you reject peoples offers of assistance. I know this was my case for a longer period of time than I'd care to admit. I had to come face to face with the fact that I was not Wonder Woman Black when I was feverishly getting ready for the biggest show I had the courage to participate in at the time.
My four children always acted like they got great joy out of helping me stuff dolls. In spite of their diligent help and me running my machines like they were formula cars - I was falling behind. Alterations were coming in every day. I was anxiously waiting for 3 ladies to come for their final fittings so I could close my book on that particular wedding party. For the first time in my life I had a diagnosed "Anxiety Attack".
(BTW - this took place during during the Mid 90's.) Anyway, I was blessed to have a few neighbors who would drop by to check on my kids and I and sometimes bring a bag of groceries or something. (I'll blog about the "Brightmore" days another time.) I also had a few "friends" who always seemed to come by at the time I normally made dinner - or when they needed something from me. Well, the day after I got my Anxiety diagnosis one of my neighbors came by because one of my kids told her that I had to go to the hospital the night before. Now this was a lady I exchanged pleasantries with - period. She asked me if I needed anything and I reluctantly told her about my deadline.
She laughed and asked: why didn't you tell me sooner. I would have been happy to help. She also told me about another lady in our neighborhood who made doll clothes for a living. Later that same day one of my "friends" who liked to eat came by. I asked him for help; and he said that he was too busy. . . he never stopped by again without calling first. But, two of my clients came by with alterations. I shared my deadline with both of them. That's when I learned that my favorite client used to be a seamstress - she helped. My other client told me she would be right back. She went and got her husband out of the car and they both came in and helped me. I completed 100 dolls in 28 days and had a full day left over to put my mark on and tag every doll we made.
No one who came to my rescue asked me for a penny - not even the lady who made 20 dresses for me. She said that she was happy to help my business get off the ground. (She later became my first piece worker.) The point I want to emphasize is that when we are feeling overwhelmed it is up to us to let people know. Unless we tell them, they can only assume that every thing is fine with us. In asking for help, you may also receive more helpful resources then your immediate needs.
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