The silliest argument ever!

Colleagues,

MVP: Refusing help that is freely offered is a sign of weakness

I was up on Tennent Mountain on August 10 with some friends.

About 10 minutes after this photo, heading down the other side of the mountain, I blew out my ankle. 

The trail down Tennent is brutal, and my buddies immediately knew I needed help. As they began taking my gear to lighten my load, I became angry. My ego wanted me to carry my own pack, I didn’t want to burden my friends, and I wanted to be independent.

I conducted a five-minute negotiation about what they could and could not carry for me. It was silly and vain, and here’s the first kicker…

I would have gladly carried any of my friends’ equipment had the roles been reversed. I would have wanted to help, and it would have made me feel like a better friend.

And the second kicker…

I knew this even as I argued and tried to not let them help me.

There is no way to sugar coat it – when I refuse help, I am putting my own selfish needs above the beauty that happens when others act unselfishly. I guess in this case pride came after the fall 🤣

Cheers!

Frederick