"Why do we fall, sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up." - Alfred Pennyworth
"You still haven't given up on me." - Bruce Wayne
"Never." - Alfred Pennyworth
This little interaction is from the movie "Batman Begins." The particular scene is when Bruce's house is burning down from Ra's Al Ghul's attack on Wayne Manor. Bruce and Alfred escape and Bruce tells Alfred that he has failed Gotham. This scene is not only a great scene between Christian Bale and Sir Michael Caine, but it shows how one individual has not given up on someone he cares for, even through his ridiculous actions.
We all fall. From a literal standpoint it is certain that you have fallen. We started out as infants who, while learning to conquer the daunting task of walking, fell numerous times. Some of us still have this problem with trying to walk, but always seem to end up on the ground. From a metaphorical standpoint, we will fall too. It can be from stress, academics, a relationship, or any event. It is a scary time, not because of the fall itself, but because we don't know how we will pick ourselves back up.
I will admit that I've fallen many times, whether it be from a bad test grade, to a lack-luster performance in a sport, I've definitely felt the pain from the fall, but that bump I got from the fall didn't last. What came next was, how am I going to get up? Do I let that moment define who I am? Do I let it keep me on the ground? Does this metaphorical ground that I have created in my mind have a Pizza Hut (because if so, then maybe I'll stay)? Joking aside, the fall wasn't the part I was worried about. I was worried about how I was going to come back from the fall. When I realized that I wasn't going to be able to take on this task alone, I was always willing to accept help from someone because I knew they wanted me to keep moving forward.
I will tell you that if you go on this journey from your fall alone, it will feel, well, lonely. Yes, it can feel like you climbed a mountain if you do it on your own, but if help is offered, why not accept it? With today's society relying so much on independence, I feel we forget how much a helping hand really means. A helping hand means that the person has just witnessed your fall and sees that you need help up, so they offer you a hand (if you actually fell, they might have gotten their fair share of chuckles in). This means they want you to get up. They don't want to see you lie on that ground anymore. Don't be afraid to take that hand! It is not a sign of weakness, but rather strength in knowing you don't have to take on the task alone.
In accepting the help, you've just learned that you can indeed get back up. A lesson that will stick with you forever.
Even Batman needed a Boy Wonder and his butler to aid him in his battle against crime in Gotham.
Help is a beautiful thing, whether its getting a tutor to pass a class or getting a personal trainer to meet your health goals, help is amazing. Don't shy away from it! Its like having a safety net for when you've gone as far as you can on your own. The people will be there to catch you and keep you moving forward, so let's keep moving forward!
If you have tried many times to get up and you just can't get it by yourself, look for that helping hand. It will always be there! If you can't see it, look for my hand cause I will gladly help you back up!
