How to Ask and Receive From Others

I think one of the greatest areas of growth in my life has come in the area of asking and receiving from others without feeling guilty. I used to be the kind of guy who had no problem giving to others but felt like I didn’t need help or want others to help me. Even when they offered, I often found ways to turn it down. As I have grown and matured, I have realized that is a very self-centered and immature way to approach life. The reason I acted that way was because of pride. I was afraid to be seen as vulnerable.

Now, I’m not advocating that we become suckers. We need to learn to be as ready to give as we are ready to receive, no more, no less.

I think the following three videos will help you. The first one is a TED talk by Amander Palmer. The second and third are lessons I did several years ago when I was a Christian missionary and minister.

Whether you are spiritual or not, and whether you agree with Amanda’s approach or not, I think the principles in these videos could provide a different perspective to see the world.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Acha, MD, DMin.

Kenneth’s mission is to use medicine, spiritual formation, poverty alleviation, and leadership development to help people live lives to the fullest. He holds two doctorate degrees: the first is in medicine and the second is in spiritual formation. He is a practicing U.S. physician, an assistant professor of medicine, and a senior professor of leadership and spiritual formation at Servants University (SU). Kenneth is also a core faculty in the department of orphan care and poverty alleviation at SU and the founder and president of the Kenneth Acha Foundation, an organization that has helped thousands of orphans in Cameroon and trained many leaders since 2005.

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