Staff Writer – Katrin Callender
Asking for help never gets any easier- no matter how old you are and how many times you’ve done it before. Among the things that make asking for assistance a challenge are encounters with uncharitable persons, who refuse to give of their money or their time.
As one who volunteers with two Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), I completely understand how one can begin to feel stretched.
However, this feeling is experienced even by those who do not volunteer, but have many commitments or duties. Parents, students, indeed anyone can feel pressed for time- and in today’s economy, there are few who do not feel the need to ‘tighten their purse strings’.
Every one of us has the last say in relation to how our money and time and any other resource is spent. But if someone comes to you to ask for help, and you cannot or do not wish to assist them- which is your prerogative- is it necessary to be cruel?
In my attempts to raise funds for both the organizations I care for, I am quite happy to have met persons whose response has been considerate of my feelings and show respect for my efforts. And when approached by others I try to behave in the same manner.
Now what if the help you need is not financial? Say you’re at school or work or even at play, learning a new game. You’re not sure what you should be doing so you ask the person next to you, or the one who seems to be really good at it.
How would you feel if you were shot down completely with an “I’m busy …why don’t you ask so and so” or worse, if you’re told that “it’s easy…just watch what everybody is doing and do it.”
Photo courtesy likecool.com
The first is utterly cruel though there are many who would say that they were merely speaking plainly- telling you as it is. The latter is not cruel but does not take into consideration that people learn differently, and that if you had found it easy, you might not ask for help.
We ought to take any chance we have to be kind or compassionate and assist those who ask for it, keeping an eye out for those who need it but will not ask. Perhaps they do not ask because of pride.
Or maybe they have been snubbed before and cannot bear to be treated that way again. Much joy comes from helping those who need it-as we share in and learn from their journey and their victory.
