Let the world spice up your life.

Cafetalk Tutor's Column

Tutor Cris 's Column

Asking for help

Sep 30, 2023

The enduring perception that seeking assistance reflects weakness persists in numerous societies, including specific Western cultures. This belief often stems from societal values that prioritize self-reliance and individualism. While the principle of independence is undeniably crucial, it is equally imperative to recognize the courage inherent in vulnerability and the wisdom that lies in seeking help when faced with challenges.

Requesting aid should be lauded as an emblem of strength and self-awareness. It demands significant bravery to confront one's limitations and extend a hand for support. Furthermore, this act can serve as a potent catalyst for personal and societal advancement.

Contrary to the fallacious notion that seeking help breeds indolence, it actually nurtures a sense of communal interdependence. Supported individuals are more apt to surmount obstacles, thereby fostering a more productive and robust society. By normalizing the act of seeking help and dismantling the stigma attached to it, we can nurture a society imbued with compassion and empathy.

In my perspective, educational endeavors stand as linchpins in steering this transformation. Imparting lessons in emotional intelligence, empathy, and refined communication skills from an early age can dismantle barriers surrounding help-seeking behavior. Fostering candid discussions about mental health and general well-being in educational institutions, workplaces, and local communities can profoundly reshape societal attitudes.

What do you think about asking for help personally? 

Perception: The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted.

Enduring: Continuing over a long period; persistent.

Self-Reliance: Reliance on one's own capabilities, judgment, or resources, without outside help.

Individualism: The habit or principle of being independent and self-reliant, often valuing personal freedom and individual rights.

Vulnerability: The quality or state of being easily hurt or harmed, physically or emotionally.

Catalyst: Something that speeds up a process or causes a change without being changed itself.

Fallacious: Based on a mistaken belief; misleading or deceptive.

Indolence: Avoidance of activity due to a love of ease and comfort; laziness.

Communal: Relating to or done by a community of people.

Linchpins: A person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization.

Emotional Intelligence: The capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.

Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

 

Incumbent: Necessary as a duty or responsibility; morally obligatory.

This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

Got a question? Click to Chat