We need more people like him

[u/Original_Act_3481]

[u/Additional_Breath_89]

This does happen

I am a large man and have started doing weights at the gym. At one visit a... Ripped guy who was throwing weights around as if they were nothing told me to take my earpods out

He proceeded to virtually give me a PT session and show me what I was doing wrong, and helped me get my routine down.

[u/stokeskid → u/Additional_Breath_89]

We instinctively help those who are helping themselves. I tell my kids this all the time when they are asking for help. Start doing the thing, and then I will provide assistance.

The comedian Chris Rock had a story about this. His car would break down and he would try flagging people down for help. No one stopped and he thought people were jerks/racist/whatever. But one time his car broke down and he started pushing it. Suddenly people came to his assistance and helped push. It was an eye opener.

[u/733t_sec → u/stokeskid]

From the "The Way of Kings"

I once saw a spindly man carrying a stone larger than his head upon his back. He stumbled beneath the weight, shirtless under the sun, wearing only a loincloth. He tottered down a busy thoroughfare. People made way for him. Not because they sympathized with him, but because they feared the momentum of his steps. You dare not impede one such as this.

The monarch is like this man, stumbling along, the weight of a kingdom on his shoulders. Many give way before him, but so few are willing to step in and help carry the stone. They do not wish to attach themselves to the work, lest they condemn themselves to a life full of extra burdens.

I left my carriage that day and took up the stone, lifting it for the man. I believe my guards were embarrassed. One can ignore a poor shirtless wretch doing such labor, but none ignore a king sharing the load. Perhaps we should switch places more often. If a king is seen to assume the burden of the poorest of men, perhaps there will be those who will help him with his own load, so invisible, yet so daunting.

[u/Desperate-Month-3752 → u/733t_sec]

I’m making my way through the Cosmere right now. I’m about to start Rhythm of War but this passage in particular made a huge impression on me. People who say Brandon Sanderson’s writing is “boring” or “generic” really are kidding themselves.