“ When Help knocks... ” When Help Knocks at Your Door…Open it! Written By: Cleophus (Cleo) Franklin Jr. “One must know not just how to accept a gift, but with what grace to share it.” — Maya Angelou There is a quote that I often rely on and remind myself throughout my personal, sports, and business life, and that is “no one is successful alone.” These powerful words resonate and represent a constant stark reminder that my achievements came to me via the guidance and encouragement of many caring individuals. My success is the result of the help from many… In short, for me to not acknowledge this truth is blasphemous and darn near criminal. Why? Because I know that without the kindness and consideration from others, the life I have lived would have been less fortunate, marked with even more strife, and short. Short enough with an expiration date that would have prevented me from writing this story. So my embrace of this perspective has helped me keep at bay any appearance of high-headedness and overconfidence. Especially during the times when others are heaping high praise upon you during those celebrated moments of accomplishment. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am a high achiever who appreciates the attention and recognition from accomplishments…but within these moments, I always remind myself of the support that has come my way to help me with my achievements. This brings me to the point of this story. You see, in life, sometimes help comes without your asking. It is like an unseen shadow that shapes events without your knowledge. Help can also appear as a subtle and powerful hidden force, an invisible hand. I liken it to a silent consigliere who operates behind the scenes. This person is never detected but is very effective. They move the chess pieces effortlessly on the board towards checkmate without signaling their intent. Help can also operate as a GPS navigation system, helping you get from point A to B. But in
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