“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” ―
Every Thanksgiving I contribute a side dish or two to the family dinner. It’s usually the same thing every year but it definitely takes time and effort. As I was in the kitchen on Thursday morning prepping my contribution, my 7 year old came in asking to help. Now usually I don’t have my kids in the kitchen while I’m cooking or baking but she was so willing to help that I couldn’t resist giving her a task.
She was my helper.
She followed instructions, was very careful, and asked questions if she wasn’t sure of a task I asked of her. She may have gotten frustrated with me at one point because she wanted to take over. But I just looked at that as a sign of autonomy.
She helped lighten the burden.
Which got me thinking, how many “Happy Helpers” do we have in our lives?
Webster’s definition of help is: make it easier for (someone) to do something by offering one’s services or resources.
Easier. We as people get dealt with various difficult or burdening tasks on a regular basis that we get overwhelmed. That feeling in itself can feel like Life is tugging us in different directions. And maybe it is. Not maybe. Life is pulling us in different directions. We are needed in every corner of our lives: spouse, children, work, family, friends. It can feel lonely sometimes.
But Life also sends us positive forces that help make things just a little bit easier for us to conquer. They want to be there to help lighten the load that seems to bury us to a point where we don’t know how to dig ourselves out, because we all know that those moments will come where we need a “Happy Helper” or more in our corner.
The helpers that don’t always need us to say anything in order to know and sense that we need something that we just can’t give ourselves right now.
The helpers that come to our aid with a smile and a sense of security that seems to waver for us at various moments in our lives.
The helpers that help with the intent to help and not the intent to boast or brag.
Helpers that love us.
How are you being a “Happy Helper?”
Life Lessons from a Novice 