DEPENDENCY
The greatest thing I ever was able to do was give a welfare check back. I brought it back … and said, “Here. I don’t need this anymore.â€
Accepting help does not mean we are forever dependent. Dependency can be a frightening thing, since it is a condition that can rob us of control and sap our self-esteem. Maintaining a belief in ourselves can be dicey when we are forced to ask for help. The longer we are indebted to someone else, the harder it becomes to shake our habit.
While there is no shame in asking for help, we’ve got to be able to say at some point, “No, thank you.â€
Call to Action: On this day, I pledge to sit down to consider what I owe, whether the debt is financial or a debt I may owe a person who has helped me emotionally. I also pledge, if the debt is financial, to repay more than the minimum payment this month, and if it is emotional, to make some small gesture of thanks to the person.
