In the 1964 movie, “Funny Girl,” Barbra Streisand resonated: “People, people who need people. Are the luckiest people in the world!” We are reminded of this in a recent article by Brené Brown in her blog post: Brene Brown, “Everyone Has a Story” 2018/06/07, in response to the news of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain’s deaths.
We do all have a story to tell and we all reach points on the road of life that shake us to our core. Unfortunately, in this fast-paced 21st century, people are less willing to ask for help. Per Brown,
“You would think the universal nature of struggle would make it easier for all of us to ask for help, but in a culture of scarcity and perfectionism, there can still be so much shame around reaching out, especially if we’re not raised to understand the irreducible nature of human need.”
Ann Stern has a few stories she could tell you about her long history with JFS, having been a volunteer and a former board member. Several years ago, after Ann’s husband died, she experienced intense grief and loss. She found comfort through a spiritual grief support group facilitated jointly through JFS Community Chaplaincy Program and JFS Counseling. Now that she lives alone, Ann utilizes Help@Home, a JFS program designed to help older adults with home repairs. Ann has seen many sides of JFS and says, “I believe we all need a little support at times in our life, and when we’re able – we give back by helping others.”
Again per Brown,
“To know pain is human. To need is human. And, no amount of money, influence, resources, or sheer determination will change our physical, emotional, and spiritual dependence on others.”
Laura Gilman, JFS Care Management Team Manager, shares, “I was touched by Brene Brown’s article – in our work as care managers, we keep the idea that each and every person has a story close to our hearts; we honor those stories as part of our work with clients.”
As each of us wind down the path that is the story of our lives, we often learn that it is easier to give a helping hand than it is to take one. The truth is, there are times along every path when we need to be able to do both. Brené Brown sums it up,
“Need is the most beautiful contact between humans.”
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