Why We Share

“Mine.” 

“No”

“Don’t want to.”

We have reached the age of 2 in our home and the above language takes up 90% of words spoken, and not just by the 2-year-old it seems. (I might be exaggerating the percentage for dramatic effect here)

Actually, while the “Mine” and “No’s” are loudly expressed, so are the “watch me”, the helping hands, the little gifts of shared snack, toys and treasures, the kisses, hugs and snuggles, even the tears and “hold me’s”.

We want others to see us, know us, be with us – sometimes even as we are declaring our independence and pushing them away.

There are many benefits to sharing, even in the midst of struggle.  Benefits include:

Gratitude

Receiving help, support, care only happens when someone shares those things.  The more we share the more gratitude we have in our lives.  And with gratitude, as studies show, the happier and healthier we are.

Connection

Discovering that others have similar thoughts, experiences, feelings helps us see that we are not alone.  We find hope and comfort in our connection with others.  Sharing opens the door to us knowing we are not alone.

Trust

Have you ever stopped to think about how much we put trust into action, even with strangers, every day?  From coffee orders to making reservations, to paychecks, and on and on.  All these interactions involve some kind of sharing – information, request, skill, effort.  By giving of ourselves we trust others with our wants and needs, and it all begins with sharing.

*******

Coming home one night from teaching a parenting workshop our eldest asked me if I share stories about our family.  I asked if she would be comfortable with that, to which she immediately replied, “Yes, it would probably help a lot of people.”

“Even all the mistakes we make?” I asked.

“Those are the best stories!”

It was with her blessing and encouragement that I even started this blog.

And what have I found?  The benefits of sharing.

Gratitude.  Even during the thick of trauma and crisis living, hubby held me close and told me that he loves our life.  I think we share about our life because, as hard as it is, we love it and are grateful for our amazing family.

Connection. The more we share about our life – the hard and the awesome – the more we are connected to each other as family.

Trust.  That no matter what, we love each other.  That together, and with God, we are Forever Family.

So, Happy National Adoption Day!

And because she wants to share, but has a hard time doing it sometimes, our eldest gave me a letter she wrote to God that goes along with the theme.

Dear God,

I see you as someone who I need to trust more because you have given me the best family I could have, a sister who I have prayed for for months. 

I realize I have to trust you so I don’t have to keep living in hurt.

How has sharing opened up your life?