How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before
starting to improve the world. ~AnneFrank
I really hate asking for help. I’ve always been one to figure things
out on my own, charge through the glut and muck to come to an understanding.
For the most part, that’s the way I learn. Sometimes, I’ll have to go over
something a hundred times (like Algebra) before it sinks into my math-averse brain.
Applying myself and employing my own brain cells to solve a problem or figure
out a process gives me a sense of personal accomplishment that makes me feel
capable. However, there are times when it is most advantageous and prudent to
ask for help, to request a helping hand to get you through a difficult
situation. There’s no shame in that. Sometimes, pride or stubbornness get in
the way and just makes things really messy.
There have been times where I didn’t ask for help, initially, and wound
up totally stuck. Case in point: One time when I was 17 I was working on my old
beat up jalopy of a car. It was an ancient Monte Carlo, a rusted out, oil
burning, hideous mess of a car, but it was mine. I tried to install brake pads on
the back. And if any of you ever attempted to change old style drum brakes, you
know the mess you can get into pretty quick if you don’t know what you’re
doing. Anyway, I tried for about two hours to figure it out. Frustration
mounted until I felt like my head would explode. I broke down, asked my dad to
help, and within ten minutes, the brakes were together and working perfectly.
Now that I’m older, I understand the value of asking questions, and
seeking out help when the time calls for it. I still don’t like it, but I’ve
put aside my stubbornness and pride. I realized that learning doesn’t have to
come just from my own experiences. Learning from others’ experience and life
knowledge is an excellent way to increase your own capabilities and
understandings. The self-improvement we all need and yearn for (even if we won’t
admit it) starts with expanding our minds and opening ourselves up to new
possibilities. Anne Frank was right; you don’t have to wait a single moment to
make things better, starting with you. No one lives life completely alone, so
no one should ever try to learn everything completely alone either.
Someone out there has experienced something similar to your situation,
whatever it is. With seven billion people on the planet, I’m confident in
saying that. It is not a waste of time to employ others’ knowledge and
experience to make your own a more positive one; it will be an investment. That
investment will pay dividends. Ultimately the difference will be a better life.
And a better life is what we all should strive for.
Go ahead, ask for help. Trust me, it won’t hurt and you might just learn
something.
Thanks for reading. Questions and comments are welcome.
