INSPIRATIONAL | UPLIFTING | INNER STRENGTH
How Embracing Vulnerability Became My Greatest Act of Courage
When asking for help became a matter of survival
As a kid in an abusive home, I learned early on that my feelings were irrelevant. If I was upset about something or needed anything, it didn’t matter. I had to keep it to myself. I learned not to ask for help because I was a bother, a burden. I learned to stay out of the way and handle things for myself. An excellent life skill, as it turned out, but as with anything, it had a downside, too.
I became so independent that as I grew up, moved into adulthood, and faced a lot of challenges, I didn’t know how to ask for help. It didn’t even occur to me to ask for it. And I couldn’t say “Yes” if anyone offered it. Perish the thought! I just always figured things out for myself. I learned to be strong and to handle – alone – whatever miseries life threw at me.
People have often told me how strong I am, but there have been plenty of times when I was crumbling and in pieces. I just couldn’t bring myself to show it. I’d tried a few times with people whom I thought were close friends, but they didn’t take it well.
I remember one particularly low point when I was in rough shape. I was struggling to…
