For those of us who become anxious about accepting
assistance and who tend to avoid ‘bothering’ others, it is important to
understand that our helpers benefit when we accept their assistance graciously and express heartfelt
gratitude.
Empowerment- When
we are exposed to an individual or group of individuals who are struggling and
in crisis, we may feel compassion, sadness, empathy. These emotions can motivate us to carry out
acts of kindness. When our efforts are
‘blocked’ by another person’s refusal to accept help, we often feel helpless and
ineffective. When individuals accept
assistance, they are empowering the giver as well as themselves. Stephen Covey, best-selling author of the
book, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” calls this a WIN-WIN
situation.
Mind/Body Health-
We now know that giving to others affects brain chemicals in a healthy
way. When an exchange of kindness takes
place between individuals, serotonin, the chemical which boosts our mood, is
increased for both the giver and the receiver.
Endorphines are released as well, which help us to feel pleasure and
decrease our sensitivity to pain. All of
this leads up to a healthier immune system.
When we accept help from others, we offer the givers an
opportunity to experience mind/body health.
To read more on this, check out Wayne Dyer’s book, “The Power of
Intention”.
Increased Social
Network- Very often, the most sincere and timely assistance comes from
people we hardly know or have a limited acquaintance with. Offering assistance shows care and concern
and can be a way for someone, who is unsure of themselves or the status of a relationship,
to initiate a connection. Accepting help
from these individuals offers the givers, as well as ourselves, the opportunity
to develop a brand-new relationship or to deepen an existing one.
May we all embrace opportunities for exchanges of
kindness to happen and the chance to deepen our faith in and our compassion toward other
human beings.
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