I don't like asking...

I usually don't like to ask for help. I'd rather get something done all by myself even if it means struggling for a bit. My guard goes up in many situations when help is offered. Sometimes it is because of my own perfectionism and other times because of my stubbornness. Most of the time the reason I refuse help is because I'd rather not inconvenience someone else.

Becoming a mother has taught me so much about help. Asking for and receiving help isn't a bad thing. We are human so we aren't perfect and that's ok. We need those around us. I am slowly learning to release the pressure of perfectionism. I don't want my daughter to grow up thinking she has to be perfect in all things and feel incapable of asking for help. I want her to see that humanity should be a giving and helpful community that reaches out when there's a need. First, I must be the model for this. I feel I do well showing her how to notice when others need help, whether it is as simple as picking up something someone dropped or noticing that someone needs a meal. I need to continue to work on showing her how to accept help. I need to do better at showing how to graciously ask for help when needed. So many show love through helping others and who am I to limit that by saying no.

The adoption process seems to constantly teach me new things. When we adopted last time, I can remember some hesitations when asking for donations or other "helps". That hesitation came back up as we began the process again. I found myself backing down when asking for certain donations or being uncertain when some reached out to help. It really hit me when I wanted to ask for donations for an auction I would like to do. I tried multiple times to post something on social media, but each time I deleted the post. Before now I had something to offer when asking. Donations for a beard decoration or come get photos. But now I come before others asking for help and I have nothing to offer but a simple "thank you".

So here I go asking...
We need your help. We would like to have an auction fundraiser. We could really use any type of items to include in the auction. Gift cards or certificates, services, gift baskets, anything really. I don't have much to offer other than a heart felt thank you.

Each donation is helping to create a family. I stand in awe and thanks to everyone who has stepped in to help. I can let my guard down and fully accept the help. I am humbled and grateful.