I AM A GEEZER. I lived a long time to gain that designation; I wear it proudly.
I also have a balance problem. Those who know me will insist I have been “unbalanced” mentally for some time, but my real balance problem is physical, not mental.
Good intentions pave the road to hell1
PEOPLE MEAN WELL, but when a person says “I can manage,” LET THEM MANAGE.
I know it is tempting for well-brought-up people to “step in” where they perceive there is a problem, but there are times when “help” is not wanted.
For example, we had visitors and a chair was brought over to accommodate a visitor. Not a big deal. One of the guests moved the chair on his own initiative.
When it was time to leave, I started to return the chair to its place.
Before I could accomplish this I was accosted by a “volunteer” who offered, and when rebuffed, insisted to the point of coming between this geezer and the chair.
That interference could have ended with me on my posterior on the floor.
I know this person meant well, but the interference was not appreciated.
I am old, but not helpless, and it is my pleasure to do what I can do.
Help when asked, not before
Unless a person has fallen and obviously — “obviously” being the operative word — has trouble recovering, ASK if the person needs or wants help.
If told “I’m OK,” you might linger in the vicinity — that does not mean hover like an eagle eyeing a rabbit — to be assured that the person IS capable of recovering.
If an offer of assistance is accepted, provide what is needed, not more..
In other words, if you are able to help a person by literally “lending a hand,” do so. Don’t try, for example, to lift a fallen person unless the person on the ground asks for that level of assistance.
Consider consequences
Alan Wilson Watts (6 January 1915 – 16 November 1973) was a well-known British philosopher, writer and speaker, best known for his interpretation of Eastern philosophy for Western audiences offers a nearly 13 minute video of “the road to hell.”2
Sources
1. Multiple assumptions on the origin or the phrase, including
Wikipedia: https://tinyurl.com/ppjyq36
Phrase Finder: https://tinyurl.com/y9lrb2eg
2. Alan Wilson Watts video: https://youtu.be/cegl1BZ-0tI
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