What do you ask of others? Can you ask for something from someone else?
Can you ask for help, advice, or resources?
For the most part, many of us struggle to make the ask. We even put excuses into people’s mouths or hands before they have had the opportunity to decide for themselves.
Let’s just save everyone the discomfort and say no before we ask!
But in failing to ask and share, we are at risk of losing far more than is gained.
At a community level, we lose interdependence. Shared responsibility. The synergy and creativity that comes from combining our efforts.
At an individual level, we give up stretching, exploring, discovering our limits and living big expansive lives. Instead, we can live small and set aside the skills of weighing up the options, making choices, saying no.
So next time, you want to say someone else’s ‘no’, press pause. Just step forward and ask with kindness, sincerity and open hands.
The answer may be ‘no’ but the courage for all parties starts in the asking.