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Humility and Need

One of the most esteemed virtues in the United States is independence. Independence is a sign of success. It isn't surprising, then, that we would find it hard to ask for help. By doing so, we lose something of our stature, at least in our own eyes. There is something about asking for help, though-- when the need is truly there-- that is endearing to the one being asked. It represents a bowing of the soul, an admission of vulnerability that leaves one in the hands of another. More often than not, that admission leads to mercy, compounding virtue upon virtue.

Manhattan resident Jeff Ragsdale is an example of this. His story is old now by contemporary standards, but it is inspiring nonetheless. Lonely after breaking up with his girlfriend, Jeff created a flier with his phone number, duplicated it, and posted it all around Manhattan to see what would come of it. The person, who signed the flier "One Lonely Guy," eventually received nearly 70,000 calls, first from people in Manhattan, and then-- when someone posted a picture of his number online-- from places as far away as Saudi Arabia. Some had also just broken up with a partner, others wanted to encourage him, and still others were seeking advice. Jeff called himself a "confession booth" because of what others would call to tell him. They felt the isolation he did, and wanted sympathy. In the eyes of many, the risk of being open with others outweighs the benefits, but being open when there is a real need to be open often leads to change and healing.

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