How good is your memory? It seems at times that my memory is very selective. At least I seem to remember some things and lessons better than others. For example, last Monday I had a chance to go to see the Steelers game against the Colts in Indianapolis. We sat in the best seats we ever had. Fourth row right on the 50 yard line. Thank you to my friend Eric. I had mentioned to him in August that I was thinking of getting tickets because my son Mark lived an hour from Indy. Eric mentioned he had a contact who might be able to get us tickets. He said he wasn't sure of availability but he used a phrase we often use. He said, "It never hurts to ask!" So I asked him to ask his friend, his friend asked his contact, and we got great seats!
Almost everything about the game was great. If there was one thing I could have changed it was the guy who sat behind me. It was like having a 2- year old sitting behind you on a plane. He kicked, pushed and punched my seat for most of the game. It was a constant distraction. It was the only hiccup in an otherwise fantastic night. When I got home the next day and shared about the night before, including the vibrating chair, my son JT said, "Did you ask the guy to stop?" The quick answer was no to which JT replied, "It never hurts to ask." Hey, I know that phrase. That's how I got the tickets in the first place. Why did I forget so quickly? Why did I fail to ask?? Why do any of us not ask for what we need?
Don't want to rock the boat
Afraid of being told no
Want to avoid a potential conflict
Feelings of insecurity
Just don't want to use the energy
There can be many reasons. But to me, I want to remember that most times it doesn't hurt to ask. And oftentimes when you ask, it rewards those who do. Sometimes even with 50 yard line seats in the 4th row!