The old Beatles song “Help!” is ranked amongst the list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Its lyrics and upbeat tune resonated with people of all generations when released in 1965. Help. We associate this word with weakness, frailty, lack of organisation, lack of self-control, being at disadvantage and desperate to be rescued. Let’s flip this idea.
Someone who seeks help is not so hapless after all. They’ve recognised their lack of skills and knowledge, poor decision making and the need to control their self. They’ve assessed the position they’re in and decided that they can’t get out of it on their own. They’ve judged others to be better equipped than they, able to provide what is needed. They’ve harnessed their hope of getting into a better position – one where they're no longer in need.
Often it’s hard to ask for help because of its negative connotations, and so people carry on struggling. Everyone needs help to varying degrees, in different situations and at various times. Many people think ‘Help!’ at one point or another even if they don’t say it aloud, eventually managing to work things out for themselves. Others don't necessarily have this ability.
A line in the song states ‘Not just anybody’. Once a person gains the courage to ask for help, they need it from someone who can, will and do. They ask in the hope that the listener can hear/see clues to the help they can give, and make a decision not to withhold.
Even if you can't help directly, pointing them to who might is a positive start. Who, when, where and how will you help today?
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