Helping Hand

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm ... As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
Audrey Hepburn

You have a helping hand at the end of your arm. What this means is that you can't expect other people to help you. They are often busy helping themselves at the time when you need them. And if they did come and help you, they do not necessarily have your best interests at heart. They quite possibly don't even know what you really want. They may also have ideas about what you "should" want. This is why it is best that you help yourself when at all possible. Only you can truly know what the best solution is for you.

On the other hand, sometimes you can't help yourself. You might not have access to the necessary resources right now. You might not have adequate knowledge about the subject you are trying to deal with. In cases like that, you can and should ask for help from others.

"As you get older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others". It feels good to help others when they really need it. It makes us feel useful and valuable. We are meant to help others along when they are struggling. But only when they are struggling. If they don't really need your help, they are likely to resent it. And that doesn't do anyone any good. The trick is to know when people really need your help, and what help you can provide. But once you do, don't hesitate to offer a helping hand whenever it is needed. It's good for you, and it is good for them. Everyone wins.