The Mom Weekly Volume 146: May 26, 2026
You can read this, or any other previous Mom Weeklies, by going to the home page here.
Notes
I had the opportunity to help someone in a very small way on a few different occasions the past few weeks. It was doing something I enjoy for an hour or two, two times, and the happiness that I felt afterwards was all out of proportion to the help that I provided. So I started to write a post called “People Want to Help.” Before I got too far, I thought, wait, did I write about this already?
And sure enough I had—about a year and a half ago. But I honestly think that it is important enough to revisit. So this week is a “Replay” of that essay–kind of like “From the Vault”, but more recent. 🙂
Remember how much I love you,
Mom
People Want to Help (Replay, September 2024)
As I have mentioned before, I keep a list of potential “headlines” for future Weeklies, and turn to them when I have my “writing time” and can devote some effort to this.
Today’s headline—People Want to Help—didn’t have anything written or any notes. But you may remember me saying this adage from time to time.
It can be a natural inclination for most people—in different situations—to avoid asking for help. We don’t want to be any trouble, or we do not want to bother people. We’d rather figure something out ourselves than request assistance.
But the research shows that far from making people resent us, people who are the “helpers” feel more positive about themselves, and feel more positive about the person being helped.
It can be awkward to ask for help, or to reach out to someone, depending on the situation. But knowing that it can brighten someone’s day, why not give it a try?
The researchers found that even reaching out to a friend with a text saying “hi” can mean a lot. I encourage you to try it, once a day or more, if possible! Consider this your bonus “action item” if you’d like!
Now, this doesn’t always work. For instance, the day that I’m writing the first draft of this happened to be one of the last days to swim at our outdoor pool this season. When I arrived, there were no empty lanes; even the non-laned part of the pool had several swimmers.
So, as we are supposed to do, I asked a swimmer if I could share the lane with her. She was not happy to help, let’s just put it that way! She was downright grumpy about it, but in the end, she did share, as she only had a lap or two to go. I hope that she felt more positive about the situation by the time she finished swimming. We can only hope.
Just as I was finishing my laps (grumpy swimmer had already finished her laps and left), I could see a man about to join the person in the lane next to me. I called over, “This is my last lap!” So he would know he had a lane to himself. He was delighted. And it gave me a little boost of happiness!
So, this is your gentle reminder to ask for help (and say thank you!) for something small in the next few days. Ask someone to hold the door for you if you’re holding some books or a coffee. Ask a friend (or your Mom, hint, hint) for advice about something. Text a friend just to say hi (and make a goal for once a week or more!)
Action Item: Ask for Help
This week, consider asking someone for help. It could be at the grocery store, where you might need something on a higher shelf (raising my hand here!). Or it could be asking someone to pray for you.
Interesting/Notable
Last week, I I forgot to share links to features about the “Dominican Sisters Open Mic” podcast. So here they are:
Don’t Call Them Nuns. They’re Podcasters—Ny Times Gift Link
Meet the Viral Catholic Nuns Inspiring a New Generation — The Today Show
Finally, the Dominican sisters also have a “Manners Monday” podcast. I don’t want to put a YouTube link because sometimes that affects the delivery of the email, but if you google “Dominican Sisters Manners Monday—“Why and How to Have a Hobby”. So cute).
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