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This story was told by a local Commercial Realtor named Frank Ponce. I like the story Frank tells and I believe it fits together well with the theme of this newsletter. My son was hiking with me along a trail in Palos Verdes that runs near the Empty Saddle Ranch. When we came across a very large tree branch, my son asked, "Do you think I could move that?" I answered, "If you use all of your muscle, I'm sure you can." My son tried mightily to lift, pull and push the branch, but he couldn't budge it. Discouraged, he said, "Dad, you were wrong. I can't do it." I said, "Try again." This time my son struggled with the task, I joined him. Together we pushed the branch aside. "Son, I said, "the first time you didn't use all your muscle. You didn't ask me to help." That is an important lesson. There are many things we can't do alone, but that doesn't mean we can't get them done. We're surrounded by resources that can be mobilized to help us achieve our goals including family, friends and faith. Sometimes we fail to ask for help because of pride or stubbornness. Sometimes we think it's a sign of weakness to admit we need a hand. And sometimes we don't even think about asking for help. Whatever the reason, it doesn't serve our emotional and physical well being to go it alone. It's important that we learn to use all of our muscle. This includes areas like discipline, courage and even love. Just as we should be willing to help others, we should be willing to ask the help of others. It's one of the great things about being human.
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