Help the Fallen, Help You- What Goes Around

What happens when a person stumbles, then recovers, in their life? People say, "Well, they were down, but they didn't go out!" That sentiment is great, isn't it? But what about when a person stumbles and falls, stays down, and can't get back on their feet, what then? Maybe you have a person that you know who is here? Maybe you have known someone who was in such a position, or maybe you are there yourself, whatever place you find yourself in, these next few words will help you.

"They're down, and I don't know what to do?" This is the statement of the person who knows a close friend, a lover, a member of the family, or someone whom they've known for a while who isn't able to move ahead in their life. There are THREE VITALLY important elements here:
1) Identify and empathize with them - let them know they aren't in this fight alone.
2) If you already know their areas of expertise - help them focus on them.
3) Find a way, even if it means calling contacts for them, to get them into the job or
position that they need, run interference for them, and do it with stealth.

When a person is down but not out, what they need is a hand up, not a hand out; and that is hard to relate to. On the other hand, giving a person something that they need as a hand out may just save their life. Consider that for a moment as you listen to the current patch of quick fix answers out there. I don't think the quick fix success mongers of our Wall Street enamored culture realize that sometimes folks become unemployed, and it isn't on them, or their employer, or the consumer- it just happens. Lives move along.

Yet the hard edged quick fix answer mongers want people to "get a job," "go to work," "earn your way," when that person in many instances would love to, but they can't at that moment manage it. Want to hear a grateful story, become a part of a persons life who makes it up out of that travesty and into a life again, because you had the guts to help them; I guarantee you, they won't forget that.

"They're down, they should be down, and they're ____fill in the blank____." Whatever comes next will define what you are going to argue for in favor of doing nothing to assist. Doing nothing isn't going to help anyone, but the person who it will help the least, is you. The opportunity to see the problems of someone else is an immense one, and a free one take it. If you turn from it, a deaf ear, a blind eye, you won't help them; but tragically, you will miss the enormous sense of human gratitude by being a simple provider to someone in need. Drop the cruel city manners of quick fix, drop the unnecessary self-control of the rural independent and help someone today who needs it. They, will be glad that you did, but how about you? Wont' you be glad also?