"I Need Some Help. May I Ask You Something?" (Giving and Receiving Quality Advice)

Author: Lee Wise
Copyright Date: 2003
Word count: 563/bio
Characters/line: 60

"I NEED SOME HELP. MAY I ASK YOU SOMETHING?"
Giving And Receiving Quality Advice
© Lee Wise 2003 All rights reserved

I JUST WASN'T SURE...

I was in one of those "I'm not so sure what to think about
this" moments when I stepped inside the office of a friend.
Had you been there, I am fairly certain you would have
noticed the sincerity in my voice as I stated: "I have 'one
of those' questions for you again."

He didn't even need to hear me say, "Mind if I ask you?"
A sympathetic glance followed by one word -- "Sure" --
put me in the conversational driver's seat.

At least for a few minutes.

THEN THINGS PROGRESSED

It's a good thing I didn't plan on staying in that seat
for a long time.

Why?

Because somewhere between minute one and minute forty-five
of the dialogue that followed, my friend quite naturally
assumed his place behind the steering wheel.

HE WAS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT

My friend, who I will now refer to as "Paul," was *welcomed*
into that position. It was a relief to have him there.

He listened.
He evaluated.
He clarified the issues.
And he gave me his advice.

IT WAS GREAT

I'm telling you... it was *great!*

The insights I received from Paul were to my heart what a
glass of ice water is to a thirsty body on one of those
hot, sticky days: refreshing.

WHERE THIS IS LEADING

I relayed this brief segment of my life to you for a
purpose: to underscore the value of giving and receiving
quality advice.

Go on a mental road trip and revisit what it *meant* to you
when you eagerly accepted the words of a friend, associate
or family member.

Hold on to that snapshot of your life and let it drop down
onto the stage of our imagination as you reflect on these
statements:

"It's a good thing to receive good advice."

"It's a good thing to give good advice."

"Giving and receiving quality advice is one of the
marks of maturity in a person"

IN CLOSING...

Take the time and make the effort to earn credibility in the
lives of people.

Credibility will give you a platform for sharing with
others the wisdom you have gained over the years.

Be Willing To Receive Advice

Ask for help.
Build a reputation of being a learner.

Learn To Listen

Listen with your heart.

One of the highest compliments you could ever hope to
hear is: "You're a sensitive person."

Don't Over Deliver

Strive to give people only what they are mentally and
emotionally prepared to receive at the moment.

Express Gratefulness

Thank people when they help you.

Thank the people you help for the privilege of being
involved in their lives.

Do It Anyway

Some people respond positively to quality advice.
And some don't.

Make up your mind that sincerely attempting to help
people is worth the effort anyway. Don't stop trying.

You are valuable. The unique expressions of care you
bring to the world are valuable.

Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time,

Lee

-------------------------------
Lee is a seminary administrator, has a part-time business
at home, and writes two motivational ezines: "A Beautiful
Moment In Time" and "Hope For Daily Living." Permission
is given to distribute article. This paragraph must be
included. Email: Lee@motivation-for-daily-living.net
Link: http://www.motivation-for-daily-living.net