advice

Unsolicited Assistance

I believe that there are two types of unsolicited assistance in life: unsolicited help (can be physical, financial, verbal etc.) and unsolicited advice (verbal). Both of which can annoy, disrupt, or frustrate your daily routine. Whether it is a man on the golf course telling you how to swing the club or a relative telling you how to handle a situation (or your kids), it will come at some point and while it is okay to not receive it…I found that it is actually okay to receive it. Receiving it may even prove to be life changing and maybe actually helpful.

I was at the gym this morning, finally deciding to follow the second phase of my doctor’s advice to stay off of running and use a machine. Unfortunately, it took me two weeks to get to phase two because either I was still in shock that I had to interrupt my running routine or perhaps I was just plain lazy and tired. Whatever the case, I found myself back in the game and back at the gym. I planned to do 30 minutes on the bike and noticed that they had these new fancy ones. I hopped on and it took me a few minutes (perhaps longer) to figure out what program I wanted and how to even use the machine. Once on, I began pedaling enthusiastically. I had my water in the water holder and my magazines folded in the other holder. My iPod shuffle began to play a mix of songs to get my mind ready for being back at the gym. A short time later a woman sat on the bike next to me. At some point, I noticed that she was looking over at me quite often (or so it seemed). I decided I would try to finish reading my Oprah magazine (the April edition…it takes me forever to read magazines). Picking up the magazine, I folded it and brought it close to me so that I could read. The next thing I knew, the woman next to me proceeded to tell me that I could prop my book up on the machine. The first thing I heard was “wah-wah-wah”, you know like in Charlie Brown when the teachers talk to the adults. The next thing I heard was English and it was me thinking “why is she telling me how to read my magazine?” I had a choice now, I could pretend like I was listening and give her the fake “I want you to think I am listening when I’m really not” smile or I could let her know that I know what I am doing (when in reality I didn’t). Then I heard a still small voice that said “listen, what she is saying to you is actually going to help you.” So I did what most people don’t want to do when approached with unsolicited assistance…I listened and I received. Surprisingly enough, what she told me was actually helpful. She showed me how the bike had a prop holder that opens and clamps your book/magazine in place so that it sits upright and you can read hands free. Wow…this was better than any bluetooth ear piece I could have ever used. I was in cycling and workout heaven now. I smiled back at her (a genuine and sincere smile) and let her know it was my first time on this new bike. I thanked her for her help. She nodded in agreement and let me know that the day prior she was learning how to use the new bike too.

Her help may not have been solicited, but it was in some way life changing and extremely helpful to my workout routine. I then began to reflect on all the times that people had tried to help me with unsolicited assistance where I just shrugged it off and went back to the “I’ll do it my way” mentality. I was not only grateful that this woman took time out to be of assistance to me, I was excited that I learned something new (even if I didn’t ask to). Perhaps the next time someone offers me unsolicited assistance, I will take more time to listen and receive. After all, as I’ve heard one of my brothers say, sometimes the choir needs to hear the Word too.

© 2007 DahGurl.