Wednesday, October 25, 2017

The life of a helper

The Historical picture of the day:
Midas, Nevada  circa 1920  (mining)
Not everyone is cut out to be a helper.  Being a helper is boring. It seems very unproductive, just standing around waiting to help. But that is the job of the helper. Until one has been a helper for a few weeks they MUST just stand around.  After a few weeks the ‘wise’ helper will find he/she can find something productive to do while waiting. Pick up, clean-up but always watch the one you are helping and try to ‘anticipate’ what they will need next. Having what is needed next is the key to a good helper.
A helper must be paid. Most volunteer helpers do not last long. Within an hour the volunteer will say, “I am going to do ‘so & so’ when you need me yell.”  That is an assistant, not a helper. The worker finds he can climb down from a ladder and get the hammer or two staples faster than they can call and wait for the ‘volunteer’ helper to come and get directions as to what is needed. The same with dropping something. The paid helper would hand it back up in seconds.
This is not an indictment, it is fact. It is hard for a 'doer' to be a 'helper.'  My wife, son or a friend feels useless if they are standing sometimes 30 minutes with nothing to do.  It seems counterproductive. They could be reading, cleaning house or washing dishes. I understand that. That is why I work alone now, I don’t want anyone to feel useless or unnecessary. That, in a nut shell, is why I do not use ‘volunteer helpers.’

I am not on production or a deadline. I can be my own helper. I am the ‘master of the 3rd hand’. I take the extra time to rig a jig, or tape a vacuum cleaner hose just below my concrete saw to keep from spreading most of the concrete dust, I do not have to ask someone to hold it.
The extra time it takes to solve the problem is worth it and I have not inconvenienced anyone.

NOW…..
Another fact about this wonderful creation that is our body:

Earwax production is necessary for good ear health. It protects the delicate inner ear from bacteria, fungus, dirt and even insects. It also cleans and lubricates the ear canal.
 
Nite Shipslog
                     1957 Rambler Cross Country

9 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

I clean my ears too much and have lost that wax the doctor said so i try to stop cleaning them - but they drive me nuts.
I am a helper personality too.

betty said...

Its good you realized the helper "syndrome" so to speak and have adapted ways to be your own helper. I'm often the helper in the kitchen, but it is usually quicker than 30 minutes between my efforts of helping.

betty

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I''ll be the first to admit that I can no longer do everything needed and often have to ask for help. Right now I'm waiting on help to change my kitchen ceiling light bulbs. I can get along without them working till one of my kids stop by and then they will change them...I did read a quote once though that said something about the best helping hand is the at the end of your own arm. Glad you have the ability

Dar said...

I'd say both Bill and I have become masters of the 3rd hand...tho we do become helpers of one another too. I can't stand idle hands so it's quite hard for me to ' stand around ' helpless. Good read.
love n' hugs from up north where we're having weird weather, from nice to nasty...need a 3rd hand, Jack? I'll send Bill. LOL

Lisa said...

I like to work alone. I prefer no help unless its something fixing to cripple me. I Painted myself into a corner once and wouldn't call for help. I sat and watch the paint dry.
I clean my ears way too much. The q-tip is usually the first thing I grab after I get out of the shower. That could be part of my ear problem.
I'm seeing a Chiropractor now to see if he can correct my Tinnitus.

Behind on my blogging,
Lisa

Mevely317 said...

I'm practically addicted to my Q-tips. :) I have, however, tried exercising some caution since my boss was "going at it" one morning and sneezed so hard she pushed it too far - nearly rupturing the ear drum. OUCH.

Interesting perspective about helpers. While in college my DIL worked as a waitress and says one of the worst things a customer can do is lift or move their cup near to the server when they're about to refill it. Up until that time, I think I was probably guilty!

Rick Watson said...

My brother-in-law is a plumber and sometimes when I'm not working he asks if I can help. As I watch him work, I try to imagine what tools he will need and have them ready. If he needs something I didn't bring, I'm a gofer and "go" to the truck "fer" what ever he needs :)
R

Jean said...

The picture of the street remind me of and older picture of Opp except the mountains. I tried to paste it without any luck.

TARYTERRE said...

the sad part of this is when you need help and have nobody to ask.