It's okay to need help

Yesterday I went for my counseling session, as recommended by my doctor to help me deal with my insomnia.  I'm still having trouble sleeping, so I was actually looking forward to this session so I could get some more help (something other than my melatonin pills!).  I've gone to counseling before, and it's not the most fun thing to do, but I truly believe that it can be beneficial.  About a month ago my cousin wrote on her blog about the benefits of counseling and I really recommend giving it a read.  I really appreciated her post (although I didn't leave a comment - bad me!) because she addressed some of the negative connotations that "going to therapy" still has, but also pointed out how much it can help us out.  She points out that therapy is not just for self-absorbed movie stars, or those who are mentally ill, or profoundly messed up.  I love this line that she wrote:

Therapy is for people who choose to love themselves enough to work on their own healing. When I become more healthy, those around me are also strengthened.

It kind of goes together with this blog post that I read this morning - Why it is okay to take a mom break.  I also recommend reading this post.  We need to look after ourselves if we are going to be able to properly look after those around us.  And as a mom, I do A LOT of "looking after".  This was something that we also discussed yesterday during my session.  There is a lot of pressure on moms to do everything (and these days, Pinterest is not helping us) - to be Supermom.  And not only should we be able to do everything, but we should be able to do everything by ourselves.  We shouldn't need help from others.  We are such an independent culture, so determined to be self-reliant, but is it really so bad when we help each other out?  Doesn't it make life easier when we're there for each other??  Didn't God create us to need each other?  I am so blessed to be surrounded with friends and family that are more than willing to help out when they can, but yet, it still makes me feel guilty at times, like I'm not doing my "job" properly if I accept help.  However, if it makes me a better mother, or even just a better person, because I get help from other people, shouldn't I embrace that help and just be thankful for it?  And in return, find ways to help out others?  Why should it be so difficult?

Just some thoughts to ponder...