Asking for Help: Getting Past Obstacles1克服障碍，寻求帮助

Getting help sounds simple. But it’s not always easy to do. Sometimes westand in our own way without realizing it. Certain beliefs or ways of thinking canmake it hard to see opportunities for help. Here are some examples.

寻求帮助听起来很简单，但做起来并不总是那么容易。有时我们会在没有意识到的情况下阻碍自己。某些信念或思维方式会让人很难找到寻求帮助的机会。以下是一些例子。

Obstacle 1： Believing That Needing Help Is a Sign of Weakness

Asking for help shows maturity2 and confidence. It’s a sign of strength， notweakness. You know what you need and you’re not afraid to reach out for it.

障碍1：认为需要帮助是软弱的表现

寻求帮助是成熟和自信的表现。这是力量而不是软弱的象征。你知道自己需要什么，而且不怕尝试去寻求帮助。

Obstacle 2： Thinking You Don＇t Deserve Help or Support

Everyone needs help now and then. No one can—or should—handle3everything alone. Accepting help can strengthen friendships and relationships.Everyone feels good when they can support a friend！ Be choosy4 about who you askto help， though. Share your feelings or a problem with someone who listens andcares—not someone who criticizes， or blames you.

障碍2：认为自己不值得帮助或支持

每个人时不时地需要帮助。没有人能够———或者应该———独自处理一切。接受帮助可以加强友谊和人际关系。每个人在能为朋友提供支持时都会感觉很好！不过，对你求助的对象要慎重。把你的感受或问题分享给能倾听和关心你的人，而不是批评或指责你的人。

Obstacle 3： Waiting for Someone Else to Make the First Move

It’s not always easy for other people to see when we need help. Maybe we’reputting on a cheerful face to mask the problem or giving off a vibe5 that we don’twant to talk. Don’t wait for someone to read your mind or notice what you need.Ask directly.

障碍3：等待别人先迈出第一步

别人并不总是容易看到我们何时需要帮助。也许我们是在摆出一副愉快的面孔来掩盖这个问题，或者散发出一种我们不想说话的感觉。不要等别人读懂你的心思或注意到你的需求，要直接求助。

None of us can go it alone. Because it can be hard to reach out for help， don’t hesitate6 to reach out and offer support to another person if you think he or sheneeds it. Giving and receiving help are great life skills to learn. They help us learncharacter qualities like empathy7 and generosity8， as well as understand otherpeople better.

我们谁也不能单打独斗。因为寻求帮助可能很困难，所以如果你认为另一个人需要帮助，请毫不犹豫地向他或她伸出援手。给予和接受帮助是需要学习的很好的生活技能。它们可以帮助我们学习同理心和宽宏大量等性格品质，并更好地理解他人。

（英语原文选自：kidshealth.org）