Narrate me down from here

In times of difficulty I receive guidance and support

When I was five our yard had 2 giant pine-trees.  I suppose everything looks giant at five but as I recall they were at least as tall as the roof of our 2 story house.  They had thick low hanging branches and I loved to climb them. One day I decided to see if I could reach the top.  I climbed with confidence and when I had nearly reached the top I began to notice the branches getting much smaller.  I was balancing precariously on a thin branch when I looked down and panicked.  As Tigger can attest. it is much more difficult to climb down a tree than to climb up it.

Paralyzed with fear I was unable to see how I could possibly get back down. I was stuck and alone. I called out for help. My brother heard my calls and was able to help me safely down.  He called out and guided me to each branch telling me where to safely put my feet and encouraging me along the way.

Sometimes I climb myself into situations that seem much more difficult to get out of than it was to get into.  When I feel alone and stuck that is when I may need to call out for help.  If I look to my Higher Power and those around me they can help guide me safely back to solid ground. 

We are all connected in our journeys and nobody makes it alone. Today I honor those who have answered the call for help.  I will also commit to listen carefully for ways to help others who may be in need of assistance. I am never alone in my struggles.

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**Hack, Wheeze, Cough cough** "No, I'm fine. Thanks anyway."

I am coming to my own assistance

Last month all 3 of my girls got sick.  A wide variety of maladies emerged including bouts of vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, sore throats and croupy coughs.  Each of them experienced something slightly different but they all required extra attention (along with plenty of disaster clean-up and laundry).

It was probably inevitable that about a week later I became ground zero for some super-sickness that emerged from the germ soup that my children had cooked up.  After a miserable week I started to feel better except for a nagging cough.  That cough has stuck with me for the last month during which time I have plowed through 2 industrial sized bags of cough drops from Costco and endured coughing fits that created migraine level headaches. I even coughed my back out of place and had to spend most of a day laying in bed.  It wasn't until this past week that I finally called a doctor and took care of it.  I'm very relieved that today I am finally noticing it subside.

When I pause to reflect I can see inconsistencies between how I care for myself in comparison to how I treat those around me. I am capable of helping others and providing assistance without hesitation, but I frequently neglect, deny, or ignore my own needs.  I have even had times when I waited for someone else to do for me what I could easily have done for myself.  I think maybe I do that in the hope that by having someone save me it will prove I'm loved.  When I need help that is beyond my ability I usually don't ask because I don't think I deserve it, I'm an inconvenience to others, or I haven't earned it.

To change this I will start recognizing my value and worthiness.  I will love myself enough to take care of my needs.  I will take time to check-in with myself and become aware of what my needs are and whenever possible I will nurture them.  When my needs require help from others I will reach out knowing I am deserving of the assistance I seek.