A little help for the self-sufficient

I like to consider myself an independent lady. Obviously, I left everyone I know back in Colorado to move to Sidney, where I know no one. If I wasn't capable of fending for myself, I'd be in trouble.

I like doing things for myself. I know how to change the oil in my car, I tend to fix small problems in my apartment by myself and I don't usually ask for advice. I'm not sure exactly why I feel that I need to do everything on my own, but I know a lot of other people feel the same way.

We all know small children who want to dress themselves, even if they have no idea what the term "matching" means. As loved ones age, they don't want to give up cleaning out their own gutters and using the chainsaw even if it's dangerous. I have a great-aunt who won't give up her driver's license even though she can no longer see the numbers on any of the houses she drives past. I think the thing is, once we learn to take care of ourselves, we want to keep doing it.

This is a good thing. I've already learned that many Nebraskans are big on personal responsibility. Pay your own bills, get your own job and take care of your own kids. This is what we've learned and mostly it serves us well. But we should all learn how to accept help when we need it.

Last weekend, I bought a small window air conditioner. It wasn't that heavy, but I'm a terrible weakling. I declined any help at WalMart and got it into my car without mishap. The trip up the narrow stairs at my apartment was a little frightening. I started wobbling halfway up and for a second pictured myself sprawled at the bottom, crushed by this deadly appliance with cartoon Xs over my eyes.

I don't know any of my neighbors well, but I'm almost positive any one of them would have helped me up the stairs with this box. Did I ask any of them? Of course not. I wanted to do it by myself.

I then struggled to install the thing in my ancient window.

A little blood, a lot of duct tape and 30 minutes later, my apartment was on its way from stifling hot to pleasantly cool. I was pretty proud of my small accomplishment and I guess that's what we're all looking for when we don't ask for help; a small sense of pride for having done something ourselves.

On the other hand, I probably wouldn't have been as happy If I had been maimed or crushed by a common household appliance when I could have easily asked for a neighbor's assistance.

We should all learn that even though self sufficiency is important, asking for help is not a sign of weakness. We all have strengths (mine are not muscular) and we can all benefit from helping each other out from time to time. If you ask someone a favor, really the worst they can say is no. Then you can blame them and not yourself if something goes terribly wrong when you're completing the task on your own.

So, if you see me out and about carrying something heavy and you have a moment to spare, please offer a helping hand. Hopefully I'll listen to my own advice and take it. Maybe I can help you out with something in return.