4. Asking Is Not Begging, It’s Choosing

So what are you neglecting to ask for?  Is it for more respect or better treatment, a raise or promotion, more help around the house, your debts paid, a new house, a new car, a new career,  or a better way to share your talents and natural gifts through meaningful service? One of the most  exciting things about life is that we get to choose.  But, I think we need to redefine what asking means.  Asking is not begging, or a sign of weakness, greed, discontent, or lack of appreciation for what you already have.

Asking simply signifies that you are taking responsibility for making your life magical, that you have made a choice, and that you are open to receiving your spiritual gifts and blessings.  That’s how polite people get what they want out of life.  They ask, they receive, they say, “Thank You.”  Choosing is a spiritual act that focuses your energy and power and attracts resources to you.

5. Refusing to Ask for Help Is Denying Others

Before, during and after the competition, I had to ask for help.  And, thank God that I was humble enough to ask.   Ric Ocasek wrote, “Refusing to ask for help when you need it is refusing someone the chance to be helpful.” And aren’t virtuous actions the real source of our spiritual currency?  To my surprise several friends came to my aid with a greater commitment than I could have asked for.  I’d learned long ago that I am not alone.  But, even knowing this fact, I too find it hard to ask for help sometimes.  Thank God, that this time I asked.   When I first heard about the competition I needed help in making the decision.  I fortunately had people around me encouraging me to get in the game, affirming that what I had to offer was indeed valuable, and offering their support.  This made it easy to make the decision.  But even then, I still needed a video.

6. Asking is a Sign of Faith, Wisdom, and Trust

I prayed, meditated, and a person came to mind.  I didn’t have the budget for a video at the time, but in faith I put it out there and just asked.  I wanted a high quality video and I had to ask for help from someone who had the equipment and skill that I did not have.  I asked and Stan said, “Yes!”  I asked and I received.  And, by the way, he didn’t charge a dime.  One thing is for sure is that we won’t know if we don’t ask.  So, don’t be afraid to ask for help.  You are not alone.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.   It fact, it takes a strong person to ask others for help.   Asking for help does not make you vulnerable.   You can’t receive unless you ask and open yourself up to receive.  Remember, asking for help is not a sign of failure.  It is a sign of wisdom.  It is a sign of faith.  It is a sign of trust.  Trust, faith, and wisdom build character and, you can’t lose when you are becoming more virtuous.

7. Asking Is a Way to Give More

And, finally, getting into the competition was in essence “asking for something more out of life.” But, more importantly for me, it was a way to potentially give more too.  So, why then is it so hard to ask for more out of life  so that we can reach our highest potential?  We’ll cover that in our 6^th Lesson Learned from Competing: ‘Integrating  faith and Works.