"The bravest people know when they can't face it alone."

— Unknown

Oh, the beauty of vulnerability…

I am traveling in Europe right now and had a brief but heartbreakingly candid encounter with a Hungarian tour guide the other day.

My traveling companion and I had just finished an outstanding walking tour of Budapest and our tour guide — a sexy guy in his thirties — said something to the group that I wasn't expecting.

He thanked us for coming on the tour, then made a comment to the effect of: "I hope you enjoyed your experience today. I did. In fact, giving these tours is the highlight of my day at this point because I am going through a really rough time right now. So thank you."

Then everyone went off on their own way. But my friend and I stayed. Although the guide was clearly in a hurry to be heading off to wherever he had to go next, we weren't going to let him off that easily.

"I'm sorry you're going through a rough time," I said, watching as he stuffed items into his backpack.

"Thanks," he said. "I hope you enjoyed the tour."

"We loved it!" I said. "You were fantastic."

He stood up. "Good."

We looked at each other a moment.

"I've never gone through anything like this before," he said, "and it terrifies me that I don't know how to handle it."

I nodded. "I bet."

"My friends are really good," he said. "I'm talking to them."

"Maybe you could talk to a professional, too?" I suggested.

"I know," he said. "But what if they dig up all sorts of stuff that's wrong with me?! Or maybe that would be a good thing? Maybe it's time. I don't know…"

Ahhh…very interesting. He knew he needed to talk to someone — but he wasn't overly thrilled about a psychologist digging into his psyche. Which I totally get!

"Not necessarily," I said. "I mean, you might actually only have to see them a few times. And it is amazing how much better it feels to talk to someone who knows how to listen. I bet you'll feel a lot lighter!"

"Yeah…maybe," he said. "I mean, my friends are great, but…"

I smiled. "But most people don't know how to be a good listener."

He laughed. "Nope."

Then we went our separate ways. I will never know what happened next. Maybe he'll see a therapist. Maybe he won't. But I strongly suspect he will be okay. If he was courageous enough to tell a group of strangers that he was going through a rough time, he will very likely find the courage to talk to someone who is a good listener.

We all need help at some point in our lives to get us through the challenging patches. But I think, just like the tour guide, sometimes we're hesitant to talk to a psychologist because we are terrified they will go digging deep into our past and unearth all sorts of dreadful stuff. But it doesn't have to be that way.

A good psychologist knows how best to help us…including listening carefully to what WE want and need from them. And if we don't want someone dredging up things we would rather keep buried, we can make that very clear from the outset.

Because what many of us need most is just someone who can shut up and listen as we try and sort out what the heck we are going through.

Regardless of who we ask for help…asking for it is not weak; it's wise.

"Vulnerability is not weakness; it's our greatest measure of courage."

— Brene Brown

How about you?

If you are struggling right now, is there a friend or family member you could reach out to? If not, get in touch with a professional who knows how to listen…better out than in.

Maryanne Pope is the author of "A Widow's Awakening." She also writes screenplays, playscripts & blogs. Maryanne is the CEO of Pink Gazelle Productions and Co-Founder of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund. To receive her blog, "Weekly Words of Wisdom," please subscribe here.