Many years ago, I was at the doctor’s office and I was talking to a gentleman in the waiting room. He told me about how he was out of money and getting ready to go to Florida to look for work. I was fairly fresh from my automobile accident, in sizeable credit card debt and still not working. When I went into the doctor’s appointment, I gave $20 to the receptionist and said, “When that man comes out, will you give this to him, because he needs this way more than I do.” He did not ask for money; I saw a need.
I never expected to see him again and it did not matter because I felt great because I had done a kind deed. Think about how you feel when you do a kind deed. I feel like I am queen of the world when I think I have done a good deed. It really is a small world, because about eight months later, he had come back to our town. He was working in the park next to that doctor’s office and he saw me go into the doctor’s office. He followed me in and he said to me, “You know, I really needed that money at that time and I really appreciate what you did.” Wow! I got to be queen of the world twice for the same good deed. You know that was a BIG confidence booster.
Accepting help is also a confidence booster. How? Once again you are doing a kind deed. That may sound like an oxymoron, but hear me out. People feel better when they can help.
It is hard to remember to accept help from strangers; I still sometimes say “No.” when people try to help me. Somebody will come by while I am going in a door and I have done all the hard work in getting the door open. I am already halfway through the door and they say, “Can I get that for you?” I am thinking, “Well, no. I have already got it!” I do try to remember to say, “Yes, go ahead,” because they want to help me. Even if it is the simple task of them opening the door for me without my asking and it makes them feel better, it is as if I gave them a gift today, just by me saying, “Yes, go ahead and open that door for me.”
I am not also afraid to ask people for help when I need it. If I am in the grocery store and there is an item on the top or bottom shelf, I will stop someone and ask, “Can you reach that for me?” Nobody has ever told me “No.”
Pay attention for opportunities to help others and accept help from others in your daily life. Not only will your confidence get a boost, it is a great way to connect with others. Who knows, I may even ask you to open the door for me.
Until next time…
Have a great day,
Susanne
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