If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life.

There is a difference between kindness and a project. Help offered freely fits itself to what you actually need; help arranged in advance, with the outcome already decided, tends to be about the helper. Being someone’s good deed is an uncomfortable place to stand, even when the deed is real. Someone determined to improve you rarely asks first what you would like.

When help is offered this week, notice whether it comes with a question or a plan. Check your own offers the same way. If you already know what another person should do, hold it until they ask.