Have you ever
tried to help a kid put on his shoes or pick out her dress only to have the child
proclaim: “I can do it myself!” It usually happens right when you’re in a hurry
and you just know the end product of their labors will be suspect! Yet on some
level, you have to admire their independence. After all, we Americans have designated a
national holiday to celebrate this trait.
But perhaps this July, we can also celebrate the yin to its yang: healthy dependence. Maybe this is what it would sound like: Thanks for holding the door for me…Could you give me a hand with this?...What do you think about us sharing carpool duties?...How kind of you to bring a casserole when we’re having such a hard time…I just need someone to listen for a few minutes, would you?...I never could have done that without you….Please give me a hug.
If you never ask for help, never let your needs be known, you may be missing out on one of life’s best gifts: mutual caring. (Call Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center 515-274-4006 to find a therapist that can help)