Is Independence Overrated?

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of “helping” a two year old put their coat on, you’ve likely observed how strong their natural drive for independence is.  “Mama!  I DO IT!”  is a common refrain.  Even if it means that their coat is on backwards and their boots are on the wrong feet, there comes a point in a child’s life when they desperately want to be doing things for themselves.  We see this drive for independence throughout our lives, especially in Western culture where being self-sufficient is highly regarded.  I suspect we have all seen that 90 year old neighbour who insists on using a ladder to clean their upstairs windows or who perhaps is raking the lawn with one arm while holding their cane in the other hand.  I know it’s important to keep active to maintain functionality, but there comes a time when it would be wise to ask for help or to accept help when it is offered. 
Like many people, I finally caught COVID this past December.  Being the second to fall ill in our household, I was already a bit tired from doing extra chores to pick up the slack.  I ended up having to tell more people about my getting sick than I usually do in order to let people know if they’d been exposed.  I was very touched that several kind friends and family asked if they could help us out.  I was tempted to say that I was fine and everything was under control.  Then I thought about my answer more carefully.  Sure we could manage without help by getting things delivered, but even that seemed to involve too much thinking!  Plus, I realized that people wanted to take care of us.  I remembered that I like to help others when they are having a rough time.  It feels good to help and it gives you something constructive to do instead of simply worrying.   Most importantly you really hope it makes them feel cared for.  So I decided to start saying “yes” when people offered to help us.  It was lovely!  Not only did I learn that my friend picks out the best oranges ever, but I felt cared for and that goes a long way to help promote healing from any illness.  Independence can be great, but also lonely, risky and just a little boring.  
So have you reached out to anyone lately to lend a hand?  Who can you say “yes” to next time they offer assistance?  And if you are curious about whether Reflexology can assist you, Time for Healing is ready to welcome you!