On a recent trip to the grocery store, I looked for a particular cut of salmon that I liked. Usually, it’s right there and readily available. On this day, I didn’t see it in the sea food display case. I saw the employee working behind the counter. He appeared busy as he washed down the workspace. For just an instant I thought, “Oh he’s busy, I don’t want to bother him.” But not on this day. Instead, I spoke politely, with a smile and loudly over the whooshing noise of the power sprayer that he used so that I could be heard.
I asked about the salmon that I wanted. The young man quickly turned off the water and politely said, “Yes Ma’am, I have some in the back in the refrigerator. I was going to put them out in just a few minutes. I’ll be right back.” He disappeared behind a heavy plastic curtain and returned with a box that he opened. He then washed his hands, put on plastic gloves and asked how many portions I wanted.
My next stop during that trip was to the pharmacy. My prescription was ready and I needed to pick it up. The last few times I’d gotten a refill, I noticed that they’d started putting those child-proof caps on the lids – the ones that you have to press down hard and turn. This is wonderful if you have a household with children to protect. I do not and I preferred the easy-open ones. As I greeted the woman behind the counter, I decided it was time to ask for what I wanted. “Would you be able to put a note on my account to give me the easy-open lids from now on? I prefer those over the child-proof ones.”
“Oh sure, that’s not a problem,” she said as she began to press keys, entering the information onto the screen. “As a matter of fact, let me change out those lids for you now and you’ll get those from now on,” she smiled. I returned her smile and simply said, “Thank you.” That day, I left the store with my salmon, my easy-open lids and a quiet sense of satisfaction that comes from having your needs met. Granted, these may appear to be small things that I asked for, but regardless of how small, they were important to me; the fish is what I wanted and the lids are what I needed – so I asked!
I remember one day, many years ago, I attended a women’s venue. There were many vendors and speakers there to choose from. I’m not sure why I chose this particular speaker and her presentation. I think it was because of the large picture that introduced her outside of the room, she was laughing while she looked away from the camera as she sat in a chair with her legs crossed…with a lit cigarette between her fingers! She was a mature woman, I’m sure in her 60’s like I am now. I wanted to know who this bold and carefree woman was, who laughed while she held her cigarette like a middle finger of defiance to disapproving eyes. Who smoked in public anymore? But here she was in living color on heavy poster board. She was audacious, and I wanted to be in her presence!
I honestly don’t remember every word she said during this presentation. She was a small woman in stature, but her stage presence was enormous. She was confident, direct and funny. She spoke about empowering women and building self-esteem. I remember sitting there so still, not even wanting to breathe for fear of missing a drop of her wisdom. Her words that remain with me to this very day are these: Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want or what you need. And don’t be afraid to hear NO! If you hear NO, then ask again and again until you hear YES!
I will always be grateful to this amazing woman who planted a seed inside of me that would lay dormant for a long time. But now, experience, disappointment and frustration have served as the fertilizers for awakening and nurturing this gift. I decided long ago that I have a right to be in this world and take up physical and emotional space while I’m here. I don’t have to shrink or suppress my presence – I’m entitled to AND worthy of happiness, healthy loving relationships, respect and peace in my life, and so are you. When we do not ask for the what we need or want, the answers will always be NO.
Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it! – Maya Angelou
Tarot website: www.souljourneytarot.com
More articles: www.avaonpurpose.com
Ava is an intuitive tarot and oracle reader, a freelance writer, a personal blogger, and the former Editor-in-Chief and Celebrity Correspondent of Trendsetters to Trendsetters Magazine in Atlanta. She is also a former contributing community
columnist with the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. A native New Yorker, Ava now resides just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. The mother of two of the best adult humans on the planet, she also enjoys a cup of coffee with the sunrise and a glass of Merlot with the stars and the ocean anytime.
www.souljourneytarot.com
www.avaonpurpose.com
www.clippings.me/users/avasimone
