Be a Bodacious Helper
What is bodacious? It is someone or something that is excellent, admirable, or attractive. Being a bodacious helper while asking nothing in return is attractive.
Are you lifting, inviting, and helping those who cannot repay you? Mr. Rogers invites us to always look for the helpers if we are in need. The helpers are there to help and not receive anything in return. This reminds me of Luke 14:14 “invite those who cannot repay you.”
From as far as I can remember I have been a helper and a teacher. When I was in primary school, when a new kid came to school I would help them find their way around and introduce them to new friends. If a kid wanted to join into our games I showed them how to play and gave them all my tips and tricks to winning the game. They usually became better players than me but I have an innate desire for everyone to have the same tools and advantages as I do.
Today I help those in my same industry to succeed. Yes, I help coach individuals what some would consider my 
competitors. I am asked often, “Why are you coaching me when we could be considered competitors?” My answer is, “when one of us is successful we are all successful.”
Your personal and professional life will have ups and downs. When I am up, I have the ability to help others. When I am down I take the hand of help, to me this takes more courage than the other.
Here are five ways I implement success in being a bodacious helper and receiver all the while reaping rewards of opportunities I would not have otherwise.
- Humble: Being humble in serving and learning from others brings success and opportunities. Be open to giving and receiving a hand without asking what is in it for me or asking what they want, will they take advantage.
- Kind: Be kind to yourself first so you can be a helper to others. I use with myself, others and especially with our teenager; ask with kind words and nice eyes.
- Open: Be coachable. Be open to not being the smartest person in the room and open to new possibilities and ideas. When helping others I learn a lot and so will you. When receiving help and being coachable new opportunities pop open.
- Listen: Intentionally keep your lips still and your ears open. Write down notes to help keep your lips still while you listen. Listening is a lost art; but people are hungry to be heard so be a listener.
- Help: Look up and out to be the helper for others. Helpers will not look like an ordained minister or Mr. Rogers in his sweater and sneakers. Helpers often look like ordinary wise humans (women, men, and children) placed in life at the right time. You are a helper.
Your gifts and talents help others succeed. Invite and help those who cannot repay you with payment, wisdom or gratitude. Help them as it lifts you to the next level of success by just adding stairs for others.
Look Up and Out,
Tracy Worley