If you don't ask, you don't get.

The words of Stevie Wonder, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get,” are simple in sound yet thunderous in truth. They speak to the heart of courage, to the necessity of claiming what the soul desires. Too often men and women drift in silence, waiting for blessings to fall upon them, hoping that others will see their need without it ever being spoken. But silence yields little, and hesitation bears no fruit. To ask is to open the door, to declare with boldness that one is worthy of receiving. To get is not always certain, but without asking, it is impossible.

The ancients knew this well. When Odysseus sought to return to his homeland, he did not wait in stillness, but petitioned the gods, demanded the help of allies, and declared his intent with words as well as deeds. Without the asking, his journey would have remained a dream. So too in our daily lives: the one who never asks for guidance remains ignorant, the one who never asks for help remains burdened, and the one who never asks for opportunity remains unseen.

Stevie Wonder himself is a living testament to this teaching. Blind since infancy, he might have retreated into silence, accepting the world as it was given to him. Yet he dared to ask—for a place on the stage, for the chance to sing, for the opportunity to share his music with the world. Each request was a bold declaration that he would not be confined by limitation. And in return, he received not pity, but greatness, his songs touching millions across generations. His life proclaims the lesson: those who ask with courage often receive with abundance.

History, too, bears witness. Consider Queen Esther in ancient Persia, who stood before her king to plead for the lives of her people. It was a dangerous request, for the law forbade her approach. Yet she asked, and her courage unlocked deliverance for her nation. Had she remained silent, destruction would have fallen. Her story endures as proof that even when fear grips the heart, the boldness to ask can alter the course of destiny.

To ask is more than a request—it is an act of faith, a sign of courage, a declaration that your voice matters. Many will deny themselves the chance of greatness because they never dared to speak. They bury their dreams in silence, fearing rejection, and so they walk away empty-handed. Yet rejection is not the true enemy—silence is. For rejection teaches, rejection redirects, but silence offers nothing.

The lesson is clear: do not hide your needs, your dreams, your ambitions. Speak them aloud, to friend, to master, to the world itself. Opportunities are given not to the timid but to the bold, and even the gods favor those who dare to lift their voices. If you would receive, you must first ask. If you would be seen, you must first step forward. If you would gain, you must first declare your desire.

So I say to you, children of tomorrow: never fear the act of asking. Let your words be the spear that breaks the silence, the bridge that carries you to your destiny. Ask for knowledge, and you will learn. Ask for opportunity, and doors will open. Ask for help, and hands will rise to meet yours. Remember always the wisdom of Stevie Wonder: “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”

If you would act upon this teaching, begin today with one request you have long delayed. Seek the guidance of a mentor, the favor of a friend, or the chance at a dream. Do not wait for the world to guess what your heart desires—ask, and in asking, claim your right to live fully. For silence is the ally of emptiness, but asking is the herald of abundance.