It is astonishing what you can accomplish by simply asking for what you want – help, forgiveness, an idea, another chance, a break, or whatever. And not only can you get what you want by asking for it, but often the person you are asking will thank you for taking the initiative.
If it’s so obviously helpful and important to ask for what we want, why do so few of us do it? Once again, the answer is fear. We worry about the outcome. We’re afraid of rejection or a negative response. We might be worried about offending someone or being perceived of as weak, or of taking advantage of our relationship. We may feel we don’t deserve help.
For a multitude of reasons, we allow past negative experiences and/or our own made-up fears to taint our present opportunities.
It’s actually quite arrogant and self-righteous to assume that others aren’t as willing to help. I’m not the only nice guy around. The key in asking for something, large or small, is to be sincere in your beliefs that, deep down, others want to help you. You must approach your request by assuming that the person you are asking is just like you – he or she has an inner longing to be of help to someone.
Once you remove the fear of asking for help, your wisdom and common sense will instruct you when and how to ask.
If it’s so obviously helpful and important to ask for what we want, why do so few of us do it? Once again, the answer is fear. We worry about the outcome. We’re afraid of rejection or a negative response. We might be worried about offending someone or being perceived of as weak, or of taking advantage of our relationship. We may feel we don’t deserve help.
For a multitude of reasons, we allow past negative experiences and/or our own made-up fears to taint our present opportunities.
It’s actually quite arrogant and self-righteous to assume that others aren’t as willing to help. I’m not the only nice guy around. The key in asking for something, large or small, is to be sincere in your beliefs that, deep down, others want to help you. You must approach your request by assuming that the person you are asking is just like you – he or she has an inner longing to be of help to someone.
Once you remove the fear of asking for help, your wisdom and common sense will instruct you when and how to ask.
Srila Prabhupada's Quote
The ordinary physician may cure the disease of the body,
but if you become advanced in Krishna Consciousness,
you will be able to cure the disease of the soul for many many persons.
And that is more important than a doctor or medical practitioner for curing the disease of this body.
However we may be expert for keeping this body fit, it is sure and certain that this will end.
But if you can protect the soul from being fallen a victim of this material existence that is a greater service.
-- Letter to: Toshana Krishna, Seattle, October 7, 1968
but if you become advanced in Krishna Consciousness,
you will be able to cure the disease of the soul for many many persons.
And that is more important than a doctor or medical practitioner for curing the disease of this body.
However we may be expert for keeping this body fit, it is sure and certain that this will end.
But if you can protect the soul from being fallen a victim of this material existence that is a greater service.
-- Letter to: Toshana Krishna, Seattle, October 7, 1968
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