Comments on: Kerrying On: IndepenDunce

By: Ann

Ann — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 15:28:31 +0000

In reply to Linda Wilhelm. I really laughed and appreciated turning "dunce" to "dance". I'll have to try it.

By: Sarah Morgenstern

Sarah Morgenstern — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 12:00:27 +0000

As an “Independunce” person I truly appreciate this story. What I particularly is how you’ve so genuinely and heartfully shared your personal story. Thank you!

By: Wyell Grunwald

Wyell Grunwald — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 12:32:50 +0000

Dear Mr. Patterson,
I look forward to my vitalsmarts e-mail when it comes in, and am especially excited when one of your articles appears ! They are always well written and extremely great ! I really enjoy each one, but especially the one on Independunce. You are an exceptionally talented writer ! Keep up the great work !
Wyell

By: T. Mims

T. Mims — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 01:56:39 +0000

Mr. Kerry:
I agree whole heartedly with your opinion of independence. I remember though in the service, I won’t say which because it’s not the point, I let someone else do work I was supposed to do. I got a lesson in learning to carry my load that I never forgot. I’ve found though, that as long as I carry my load or at least try to, others are willing to help out if asked.

By: Ray Ellison

Ray Ellison — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:48:19 +0000

Thanks from one dunce to another. I needed that!

By: Linda Wilhelm

Linda Wilhelm — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 17:53:02 +0000

Oh my, how timely for me! I was just sick for the first time since my husband’s death and thought “how alone (and scared) I am.” Once I communicated my condition to a few people, co-workers reached out to me and people from church reached out to me, all offering to do anything to help. My nature is to suffer independently and take care of myself. How blessed I was to let others into my life and to let them care for my in any little way they could. My “independunce” has turned into an “indepenDANCE” because I’m no more alone . . . than I choose to be. Thanks.

By: Julie Gandy

Julie Gandy — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 15:21:15 +0000

This is a brilliant life lesson transferable to all in learning when to ask for help. The truth of the matter is, when you ask for help, you are providing others with the opportunity to grow and connect.

By: H. Lamm

H. Lamm — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 14:32:06 +0000

Being independent is good. As a friend of mine once told me, if you want something done, do it yourself. However, I’ve learned if you want to be a good leader, you have to have a great team in place to get things done. You have to know the right person to ask, and by knowing who to ask, you not only get things done, but they are done efficiently. My final words – You never know if you don’t ask.

By: John

John — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 14:03:59 +0000

No one can know/do everything them self. To think so is dangerous.

By: Annie

Annie — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 13:16:29 +0000

Something vitally important here! I’ll explain by a story – I am one of a lot of kids, one of whom is what is what is colloquially termed “a user”. The rest of us have careers, homes, and the busy lives and sense of independence that come from a hard background. The other sibling is often unemployed (by choice), and is always the one who asks my parents for a lift to work, my dad to shampoo her carpets, a loan to cover her rent etc. For years, the rest of us gave her the side-eye, and couldn’nt understand why my parents continued. Then I suddenly realised the gift she was giving them – the gift of giving and sharing, the gift of being useful and helpful. I may have given them my love and time, but in the hierarchy of needs, feeling useful is important. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you are struggling a little – the self-respect you can give to another, and the joy of joint enterprise can be way more valuable than the self-respect you feel for having succeeded alone. Much, much easier said than done though!