You gave everything, except one thing

A twelve year old girl sits at her desk, her notebook full of scribbled numbers and arrows. She stares at a math problem she’s already tried to solve three times. Nothing works. Frustration builds. She clenches her fist and lets out a deep sigh. Her mother peeks around the door.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?”
The girl shakes her head. “No… I just don’t get it. It’s too hard.” Her mother gives her a calm smile.
“Give it everything you’ve got, darling.” Inspired, the girl straightens her back and tries again. She grabs her tablet, watches an explanation video, and goes step by step. But the problem still doesn’t make sense. After twenty more minutes, she slams her notebook shut.
“I just don’t understand it!” she cries. Her mother returns.
“Have you truly tried everything?” “I think so?”
“Try again. Use everything you have: your books, your apps, your notes… and your determination. Don’t let this stop you.  You’re stronger than you think.” The girl frowns, but picks up her materials again. She keeps going. Half an hour later, her eyes are red, and her head is heavy.
“I can’t do this,” she says, exhausted. “I gave it everything I had.” Her mother sits beside her. “You know,” she says gently, “I believe you gave a lot. But not everything.”
The girl looks up, puzzled. “What do you mean?”Her mother smiles. “You never asked me for help.”

Food for thought

Sometimes, giving your all doesn’t mean doing everything alone, it means knowing when to ask for help. Strength is not only in persistence, but also in humility and connection. True effort includes using the support around you.