-Harriet Beecher Stowe
I was drawn to the quote from Harriet Beecher Stowe because I believe it wholeheartedly AND I also believe requests left unspoken are gifts left unwrapped, relationships never knit together, generosity tossed aside and stomped upon.
Try it like this now:
“The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid, deeds left undone, requests left unspoken so gifts were left unwrapped, relationships were never knit together, and others generosity was tossed aside and stomped upon.”
-Harriet Beecher Stowe and Julie Jordan Scott
Too often we worry about our discomfort with making requests more than how positively it may impact the person we ask. I am surprised how many times people have thanked me for making requests of them. The other piece is it helps you to grow by learning to be detached: asking for things you don’t think will be granted is a great way to learn how to ask without worry about the yes or the no.
Last time I did a Challenge similar to my newest 30 Day Challenge I called it “30 Days of Self Forgiveness.” Remember, I wasn’t SOLVING my “problem” I was being aware, noticing, honoring and making room for the forgiveness to happen. It was a fantastic thirty days.
From the end of June until they end of July, I am working on Making Requests.
I call the challenge 30 Days of Making Requests (so that I May Feel the Freedom of the Question) When I created the challenge, I wrote: One of the most difficult things for me to do is make requests. Usually they make me squirm.. and I would like to become more comfortable with making requests. I started this tradition last year when I wrote: "Today, June 30, 2012 I made a couple requests and my head didn't roll off my neck! I am on my way!"
I have embarked on my second 30 Day Challenge. It is sort of cool how this website works with personalized challenges. You create your own and then post your progress and other people support you – at least most of the time.
If you choose this mission I have chosen, there are many ways to practice.
You may start by making small requests. "May we go to this movie?" or "May we go to that restaurant" or "May I take one Friday in August off from work?"
When you make a request, you might even tell the person “I am challenging myself to make requests, so please don’t feel compelled to say YES to this.” And then ask. And then be pleased with whatever outcome appears.
I suppose Chaucer’s words “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” have become proverb-like in our lexicon, yet so many people are afraid to venture.
Are you?
Are you afraid, perhaps of what you will gain?
Do you struggle with feeling less-than-worthy?
I know these are two of my biggest challenges. Fear and lack of self worth have plagued me for my entire life although most of the time I act like I am brave and I act as if I think I am priceless. Sort of.
Can you relate to this?
So this month, I am going to follow through with this challenge.
How about you? I am hearby requesting you challenge yourself to take a dive into your OWN challenge.
Wow. I really AM making progress!
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© 2012/3 by Julie Jordan Scott
Julie Jordan Scott has been a Life & Creativity Coach, Writer, Facilitator and Teleclass Leader since 1999. She is also an award winning Actor, Director, Artist and Mother Extraordinaire. She was twice the StoryTelling Slam champion in Bakersfield. She leads Writing Camp with JJS & this Summer will be traveling throughout the US to bring this unique, fun filled creative experience to the people wherever she finds the passion & the interest.
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