Last summer as my friend Jackie was recovering from a very serious health scare, I pleaded with her to tell me how I could help. She said, “I don’t know what to tell you. I’m not a parrot and I can’t just say what you want to hear.” I told her I didn’t want her to be a parrot, I wanted her to be honest with me about what we needed to do to get her back on track. I asked her to give me two or three things I could do to assist in her recovery. And that’s where we began.
I think we’ve all been in situations where we didn’t know where to start or what to say. Sometimes finding a starting point seems harder than reaching the finish line. All too often, we play the role of the parrot telling others what we believe they want to hear because it’s easier than asking for what we really need.
When I had wrist and elbow surgery last December, I had friends and family ask how they could help. I didn’t want to be a burden, especially during such a busy holiday season, so I just told them to pray for me. (Prayer is always a GREAT idea.) However, once my arm was in that cast and I was feeling the pain of recovery, it was a whole lot easier to ask for what I needed. We shouldn’t have to feel pain in asking for help.
Most of the time when people offer to help, they are genuine in their desire to assist us. If we are in a situation where we need help, we have to get past the embarrassment, shame, or feelings of weakness. We don’t need to be parrots and spout the usual speech of bravery and independence. We should seek grace to let others use their Intentergy in our lives.
Today’s Intentergy challenge is to avoid being a parrot. If there is a situation that is bothering you or you are in earnest need of something, ask for help. If someone has offered to help with your kids, your home, your pets, your meals, whatever, AND you could really use a second pair of hands, take them up on the offer. Make your life better by being honest and forget the birdbrain idea of “I can do it myself.” Put Intentergy into your purpose by finding strength through the support of others. Get off your perch of insecurity and self-pity. By avoiding parrot status, I’m certain you will find yourself taking flight with success soon and fortitude to help others in the future.
By: Melanie A. Peters
P.S. Jackie is going to squawk at me for sharing this, but I love her and am so proud of the progress she has made in her recovery! She is no parrot.
Intentergy 
What an honest and informative post! My favorite sentence was “All too often, we play the role of the parrot telling others what we believe they want to hear because it’s easier than asking for what we really need.” This entire post really hit home for me. Thank you!
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Diane, thank you! that sentence is one that I know I suffer from a lot and it’s comforting for all of us to know that we are not alone in this act of parroting. I appreciate you and LOVE your blog.
– Melanie
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