Help me if you can

Why is offering help such a surprise to people?

"Look for the helpers".

It’s a famous quote from Fred Rogers (Known to generations of Amercians as "Mr. Rogers") recalling advice from his mother when he saw scary things in the news.

It teaches that in any catastrophe, there are always people—rescue workers, bystanders, neighbours—providing help, which offers hope, comfort, and safety during times of crisis.

But helpers are everywhere, every day. Why is it such a surprise when someone actually says to you… “would you like some help”?

I’m thinking of this because I recently met a guy at a workshop I was running. He was one of many in the session so at the time (to me) he was another face in the crowd.

However a few days later I was reading that the tech company he worked for laid off a heap of workers.

I messaged him on LinkedIn to ask him if he was okay.

To me this was the most normal thing I could do to actually help him.

I didn’t know him so I wasn’t recommending him for jobs, but I know much an introduction can help people when they are feeling alone.

A friend of mine (and Musely subscriber) is good at this - Leanne. She will go out of her way to help someone without being asked.

One time I was driving along talking to her on my phone (which was sitting on the passenger seat), and it was over FaceTime.

I’m not sure if it was the view she had of the inside roof of my car, or just her natural problem-solving mindset but the next week in the mail came a dashboard mounted phone holder. No questions asked. She was helping.

How helpful are you to others? Do your actions make someone else’s day that little bit easier?

Even just the smallest offer can mean so much.

There are helpers everywhere. In times of crisis, look for the helpers.