Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
~ Maya Angelou

I’m not entirely sure how I got to be so independent. I come from a fairly involved family, and my upbringing was monitored and supported by my parents and older brothers. I’ve always had assistance, even when I didn’t ask for it. Yet, somehow in my adult years, I developed this “I can do it by myself” attitude. I’ll fix it; I’ll move the furniture on my own, or I can cook the entire three-course meal with the incredibly complicated dessert for four guests. This faux Supergirl mentality also made me leery of accepting help offered to me from others and even less likely to ask for it.

No wonder I found myself stressed and worried at the start of every day. Apparently, I’d decided I was king of the universe.

We are designed to need help. You couldn’t even make it into this world on your own. From conception to birth to surviving your childhood, someone was always there. As an adult, whatever success you gained in this life, you were helped somehow from someone along the way. You can’t make it on your own and you are not really supposed to.

Let’s try an exercise to release your tension, because you’ve been carrying the burden of being the responsible one for long enough. It’s time to let go. Close your eyes and take a moment to clear you mind. Just breathe, then, say out loud, “Please, help me… Please, help me.” Say it until you mean it. As it starts to get down into your soul, you’re also putting your need out into the atmosphere. When you’re no longer feeling like you have to be “Superman” or “Supergirl”, you will go about your day and find opportunities to not only let others be there for you, but you can be there for others. It’s the relief you’ve been waiting for, and you’ll actually get way more accomplished.

It’s okay to need help. We all do. So, don’t be afraid to ask. Reach out to God, the universe, a friend, a co-worker or even a stranger. After all, we’re all in this together.