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7 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,A ugust 15,2019 insidehalton.com 905.815.5252504 Iroquois Shore Road, Unit 1, Oakville, ON. L6H3K4 www.leisureindustries.ca *Limited Time Offer, No Dealers Please, Quantities Limited. Restrictions apply check in-store for details, not applicable on prior sales, Financing Available O.A.C., Products may not be exactly as pictured. **Sizes are approximate. fiberglass pool inventory clearance! * show pools * one of a kind * display models * all priced to clear sample special* 15'x 25'kidney $32,999 installed 50%OFF all stOck aBOVe GROUnd pOOls sample specials 15' Round*$389950%OFF$1949 18' Round*$439950%OFF$2199 12' X 20' OVAL*$539950%OFF$2699 15' X25' OVAL*$629950%OFF$3149 MANYMORESIZESAVAILABLE Regular Sale J.M.C Concrete Interlocking LTD Oakville's Favourite Patios & Driveways! DIAMONDDIAMOND DIAMONDDIAMOND LIKE US ONAsk for John www.jmcconcrete.ca 905-878-8595 • stamped concrete • interlocking • exposed aggregate • flagstone • french curbs • retainingwalls • garage floors • free estimates Pud bySteveNease A while back, I was tell- ing a colleague about how I couldn't go to an event be- cause I had to drive my son to and from an activity, and her suggestion was that I "call on the village." True to that expression "It takes a village to raise a child," she was suggesting that I call on my circle of friends and family to pitch in. This conversation really changed the way I think about asking for help be- cause I reflected on why I am often reluctant to do so. I will think to myself, "They're probably busy," "I don't want to impose," or "It's my responsibility," But, I've come to instead tell my- self, "I would do the same for them" and "Even if they can't, it's worth asking" and have been practicing reach- ing out when I need to. And the help I've gotten has made a big difference. Whether it's needing help with child care or a task at work, I'm sure I'm not the only one who may hesitate to ask for help. It can be difficult for a num- ber of reasons. We may fear judgment from others, think we'll inconvenience them, or want to feel suc- cessful by doing every- thing ourselves, even if it stresses us out. Getting support can re- lieve anxiety and pressure and benefit our mood and mental health. So, what can help make it easier when asking others for help? • Address your own feel- ings. If it's hard for you to ask for help, say that. • Be specific. Saying, "Would it be possible for you to pick up my son at the li- brary and drive him home?" not only lets the other per- son know what you need but it can help you put it in perspective as well. You're not asking for the world - just a ride for your child. • Say how it will help you. Something like "If you could bring a dessert when you come for dinner, that would really help me focus on the rest of the meal" can help others see how them pitching in will make a dif- ference and make it more likely that they'll say yes. • Give an out. If others really aren't able to help, try to make it clear that they can say no without judgment. Saying "I totally understand if you can't" can help take pressure off of them as well. • Don't take a no person- ally. Others not being able to help out this time doesn't mean that they are mad or judgmental or that you shouldn't ask some other time. • Say a genuine thanks. Let your helpers know what their support means to you and consider offer- ing to return the favour. Make yourself part of their village as well. Melanie McGregor is the health promotion and ad- vancement specialist at the Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch, which provides mental health/addiction community support and education. Visit www.hal- ton.cmha.ca for more in- formation and follow @cmhahalton on Twitter. LEARN HOW TO ASK FOR HELP OPINION ACCEPTING SUPPORT FROM OTHERS VITAL TO US ALL, WRITES MCGREGOR MELANIE MCGREGOR Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM A goldfinch has a drink in a North Oakville backyard in July. If you have a recent high res photo of wildlife in the town, send a jpeg to Oakville Beaver news editor Kevin Nagel at knagel@metroland.com. Fiona Quinn photo ANIMAL TALES