I didn’t know how to ask for help until life happened.
Before I continue, let's digress. Life is an absolute entity of laws and principles, it has no respect for people and less so for those who go against it. So much so that it begs the question, why does it seem so difficult?
For most of my life, I found it difficult to ask for help. I do everything on my own. Whenever I can't get something done, I dump it instead of asking for help. It became so known that when it comes to asking somebody to do something for me or my parents and siblings, my parents don't send me to do it, they send someone else in my place. I got comfortable with it, I even loved it.
Later on when things had changed, I realized that what I was afraid of wasn't asking for help but the response I was to get from people. I didn't know how to come out with what I needed help with, and I was sorely afraid of what I would hear after my request. That was until life happened.
It happened that my family had a crisis and we were devastated, physically, emotionally, and financially. We took a terrible loss and it took a while to get back on our feet. That period was one of the hardest times I've had, I had to manage that, manage being a brother, a student, etc. With all we had to go through, I was forced by life to become comfortable with asking for help so fast, I didn't even know when it happened. I took help wherever I could get it, I openly asked for it too.
Later on, I needed help with finances to solve a couple problems of mine at the time, I looked around and strategized on my own, the best people to help me. I motivated myself, went to each and everyone of them, and begged them for help. And guess what, I received the help I needed, solved the problems, and I was never more grateful. I realized that there was no harm in receiving no for an answer, as no one is entitled to anything from anyone. With this mindset, I had more peace with people who refuse to help me and I also learned to offer help, as much as I could at any opportunity.
I strongly believe that there is nothing we can't do, given the right environment and conditions. People have the mind to help, you just have to have the right reputation, and meet them at the right time. And like my friend will always say, a closed mouth is really a closed destiny! Interpret it as you will!
The penitself.