Learning to Receive, Pt. 2

There is something I want to clarify about this post because I realized after reading it again that it's not entirely accurate the way I wrote it and I think I missed an important aspect.

I have no problem asking for or receiving help from someone who I've helped a great deal.  In this situation I'm referring to last weekend, the help came without asking and came when I was trying to be strong and independent but was starting to panic.  I guess I rarely allow myself to be in a situation where I need the help and that was the point I was trying to make.  This was the first time I can recall in a long time where I needed it, didn't have to ask, and got it.  Getting it from someone significantly younger than me who had only met me 24 hours before also contributed to making it exceptional.

The irony in all this is that the way things are set up at this training, you are standing next to different men for different parts of the experience and you have no idea what's coming up next.  So you can't "plan" who to stand next to because things appear to be too random.  It just so happens that during the two exercises where I was the weakest, I happened to be near Morgan.  When someone has your hand in theirs, they can tell a lot about what's going on with you and can communicate with you without words.  What I clearly got from Morgan during these two experiences was a non-verbal "Don't give up.  I'm right here." and that made all the difference.  I've thanked him several times and each time he tells me, "No Sean, thank YOU."

I am a relatively selfless guy.  In the past that came from weakness or insecurity.  Today, it comes from a place of strength and empowerment.  Gandhi was selfless, but I don't think many would call him weak.  That's the kind of energy I'm talking about here.  Giving/helping others for the feeling it gives me.  Allowing another to give/help me because of the feeling it gives them.

So the next time someone offers an outstretched hand, take it.  You'll get what they're offering, but you're also giving them the gift of feeling better about who they are.  And when who you are is someone who is giving, then offer your outstretched hand to someone else.  Everything else just happens the way it's supposed to.