There are 6 words that ultimately set me free from the chains that were keeping me held back and keeping me from aspiring to my reaching, or attempting to reach, my true potential. I will tell you these words because they are so easily expressed in my life now when in fact, they used to be the hardest words for me to think, let alone muster.
“I need help”, and “I am wrong”..
Saying “I need help” ultimately saved me from continuing down a path that would easily have been my demise. I was invincible, so I thought, and I didn’t need help from anyone. Drugs and alcohol were a very big part of my life so to me, doing them every day was like breathing, I just did it. Humility was not in my blood and the thought of even having that word in my vernacular gave me agida, so asking for help was not a high priority, until I reached the point of desperation..
Living in the problem for so many years kept me stuck in the problem, I needed a change. I started to see past the problem and realize that the problem, or the biggest part of the problem, was me!! I was going insane, losing everything, and my world was crumbling around me. After attempting many times to help myself, I decided that in order to live in the solution and not the problem, I had to ask for help, and I did…Humility, though I was scared of it, helped me get past the problem and ultimately into the solution. By asking for help, I was able to stop the insanity, stop the abuse of alcohol and drugs, and start living my life the way it is supposed to be live. Today, I have learned that remaining humble and displaying humility in your life will certainly get you further, and take you further, than being prideful and arrogant.
Admitting “I am wrong” has had such a great impact on my life. Previously, before this wonderful phrase was accepted into my life, I was never, ever, wrong. If someone questioned me or what I said or did, anger would invade my whole being and spawn resentment, yelling, and rage. I lived like this for many years and sadly, I could not see my past my flaws because they were blocking my internal vision of the true reality of the situation. I had a lot of trouble, even if I knew I was dead wrong, admitting it. My ego and pride would take such a beating if I were to do something such as this. My motto was to never admit you were wrong, and deny til the end. I was angry every day and I could not understand why, until a very good friend sat me down and showed me on paper, how it was me that was wrong. I needed to fix that and once again, instill humility in my life because admitting I was wrong was very hard for me to do…I have never said sorry, nor admitted to anything, so this was going to be huge for me…If I wanted to live a more complete life, I needed to admit when I was wrong and fix it.
Today, if I feel I acted wrong, said something wrong, or did something wrong, I will promptly admit it and apologize. I need to not live with that wrong, but instead, fix it and move past it. In doing so, I feel that I have abolished that anger, lost all of the resentments I held, and moved a giant step forward in my life…
Today, if you need help in anything, just ask for it. Why remain stuck in a problem when the solution is lined up for you and you can achieve that solution by just asking for help. What comes with asking for help? Less frustration, less problems, solutions, and a much easier way to live…
How about when you are wrong? Do you admit it or like I did, get angry and resentful? I have found life to be so much easier by just admitting wrong doing, fixing that wrong doing, and moving forward. It does not mean, however, you get pushed around and walked on. If you truly feel you are wrong, just say you are sorry and be on your way….
Please have a nice day!!!!!!
Rich Barnes