Resist or Receive? You May Be Making Life Harder than It Needs To Be!

“You can’t help people that don’t want to be helped.” 

 John Armstrong

Last night I sat at the dining room table doing homework with my children. One of them was working on a math assignment. I observed her as she worked. She was making errors as she did some of the problems. I offered to help her so she could get the correct answers.

She became visibly upset. “I know how to do this, Mom,” she said. “The teacher told me to do it THIS way!” She was adamant that she had it right and was totally unwilling to receive my help.

I remained patient.  I made my suggestions then backed off.  Initially, she refused to do what I recommended.  After about fifteen minutes, I noticed she had gone back and changed the answers with what I had offered her.

This morning as I woke I was reflecting on the situation. I asked myself, “Am I ever like that?” I expected my answer to be a clear, “No!” But, I chuckled. I have to admit that I am guilty of doing the same thing.

In fact, the day before I had been struggling with a work situation. I could see that I was being offered a Divine solution to the challenge. There was a clear, simple way forward. But, I was stuck in my thinking. I wanted to use an old mindset to judge myself, thereby making the situation feel harder than it needed to be.

All too often the answers, the help, the solutions we need are offered to us. But, we have already decided we will figure it out on our own and do it the way WE feel is best. We may even throw a tantrum or get emotionally upset when someone tries to offer us an alternate approach.

I challenge you this week to notice if there are situations in your life where you are resisting help rather than receiving it with gratitude.  

Consider these questions:  Is your ego getting in the way? Are you being stubborn and refusing help? Are you open to making life easier than it currently is? Or, are you determined to do it your way even if it means your way is the harder way?

Observe. Don’t judge. Become aware. New possibilities exist if we are willing to open our eyes and ears to notice.

Be willing to ask for and receive help. In fact, be willing to receive as much help as possible. In the words of Jim Rohn, American speaker and author, “Asking is the beginning of receiving. Make sure you don’t go to the ocean with a teaspoon. At least take a bucket so the kids won’t laugh at you.” After experiencing the stress with my daughter yesterday, I have decided to get out my bucket and receive as much help as possible so that my life will get better and easier.

With a smile,

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com