60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday: How a Story Showed Me How to Ask for Help

<p>Hello to you listening in <a href="https://www.introducingmilan.com/" target="_blank">Milan, Italy</a>!</p><p>Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.    </p><p>Maybe like me you feel reluctant to ask for a hand up. Maybe you think that others will find you weak or lacking. Maybe you were raised to look to yourself for everything you needed. Whatever the backstory, many of us find it difficult to ask for help when, in fact, people want to give us a hand up. My mantra is “<i>Each One Lift One is how we roll here</i>!” So, what’s my problem? It took a short story to change my mind.</p><p>Recently I made a trip to <a href="https://www.genesartframing.com/" target="_blank">Gene’s Art Supplies and Frame shop</a> in Oak Harbor. Gene still owns his shop. He comes in to work every day. I didn’t get a chance to meet him but the story manager, Shanna, pointed to a large framed tribute to Gene hanging on a wall. Two newspaper articles: 1 from World War II with a photo of him in naval uniform walking up a ship’s gangway looking much like the actor Clark Gable. And the other celebrating his 100th birthday in 2022. I asked Shanna what keeps Gene going and she said, two things: <i>Love what you're doing and remember to ask for help</i>. To all my friends and colleagues on LinkedIn who so generously gave my <a href="https://www.quartermoonstoryarts.net" target="_blank">Quarter Moon Story Arts</a> launch your robust and enthusiastic hands up, I say “<i>Thank you for showing me the way</i>!”</p><p><strong>Story Prompt</strong>: When have you surprised yourself by risking to ask for help and receiving another’s generosity? Write that story!          </p><p><strong>Practical Tip</strong>: The magic of stories is also in the sharing. If you wish share your story with someone or something.   All that matters is you have a story.</p><p><strong>You’re always invited</strong>: “<i>Come for the stories - stay for the magic!</i>”