It Is Okay to Share Your Burden

Back at the beginning of the year, I had some major surgery. It was a very typical and routine surgery for my doctor who performs hundreds of this surgery each year. It was a big deal for me, though since it was me going under the knife.

I didn't tell a lot of people that I was having surgery. I told some close friends that I was having it and asked for their prayers but I didn't broadcast to the world that I was having it. It wasn't because I was worried what people might think or anything like that. Granted, I did get questions on why I did the surgery and why I didn't look at other options but that had nothing to do with why I didn't tell people.

The reason I didn't want to tell people is because I didn't want to burden other people with my problems. I figure that everybody has enough to worry about that I didn't need to share my problems with them. I know that my friends love me and would be praying for me and help me out in any way they could as I went through my recovery. But I still didn't want to bother them.

This is the same feeling that many in the HD world have, too.

For the ones experiencing symptoms of HD, you don't want to tell others what is going on with you. You don't want people to look at you differently. You don't want to worry your family and friends that you have begun to show symptoms. You don't want to share your depression or anxiety or nervousness or any other feelings. You don't want to burden anybody with your problems.

For the care-giver, you don't want to seem like you are complaining. You don't want people to think you can't handle it. You don't want it to seem like you are incapable of taking care of your loved one on your own. You don't want it to seem like you are wimp. You don't want to burden anybody with your problems.

Look at the flip side of things. How do you feel when you hear that a friend went through a really rough time and didn't say a word to you? Especially if it was a close friend? You feel kind of hurt. You wish they wouldn't have kept it from you. Those friends feel the same way when you don't share your burden with them. They want to know about your struggles.

Sometimes, sharing that burden allows others to bless you in some way. If you don't share your burdens, you rob somebody of the ability to be a blessing. Sharing your burden and letting other people know about your struggles can also be a benefit to you. It can help to relive some of the stress and make it a bit easier for you to bear.

Don't be afraid to share your burdens or your stress or your worries about HD with your friends. They are their for you and are willing to listen and help in anyway that you can.