Dare to Ask

 

always seek knowledge message illustration design over a blackboard

Ask boldly for what you want or need.

If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.

If you ask and get a no, don’t take it personally.

It may not be about you at all.

The no may be a blessing, a protection from what could harm or hurt you.

The no could be a message that it isn’t meant to be. Yet. Let it go and move on in an attitude of graciousness and trust.

If you ask and you get a yes, be grateful and appreciative for everything and everyone that played their part perfectly to make this moment possible.

When you are no longer dependent on an outcome for your sense of self-worth and happiness, when both yes and no are okay, you’re ready for bigger things to happen in your life and career.

It has taken me years to learn this lesson, and only now – in July 2015 – am I able to write this post. The words came to me unbidden after I had finally dug in deep into my seemingly meagre reserves of courage. I had been set a task by my book coach, and every part of me was fighting it, because it would mean asking complete strangers for help. What if they said no? What if they never replied? What if they laughed at me behind my back for having the audacity to ask?

It was only after I had honoured myself by doing what I had committed to do – not backing out, not making excuses – that I realized with a thrill that asking can be hard (especially for those of us quiet, self-effacing ones), but the feeling of freedom afterwards is priceless.

You have done it once. You can do it again.

And all those voices in your head telling you it was a bad idea?

They are not your enemy. They are just trying to keep you safe and keep you from pain.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ” —  Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” — Anaïs Nin