Lean on Me: Learning to Get the Support You Need
by Joanna Lindenbaum, volunteer since 2006

Receiving is just as important as giving. Accepting support can add value to many aspects of our lives, including relationships, career, health, creativity and finances. However, often we hold the belief that it's more significant to give support than to receive it. Why is that?

"Receiving support" is frequently viewed as something negative. We fear that accepting support means we are selfish, taking up too much space, or incapable of succeeding on our own. Or, we worry that the person offering support won't follow through.

If you find yourself agreeing to any of these notions, it may be helpful to follow these pointers to improve your ability to get support in ways that will strengthen and nourish you:

1. Identify a place in your life where you could use support
2. Determine what kind of support would be most helpful for you
3. Think about how receiving support might change your life
4. Establish a circle of family members, friends or colleagues
5. Practice how to ask for the support you need