Worst Feeling Ever?

[clevergirl]

Originally Posted by Cecily [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Thanks but I was only half kidding. I did manage to get through it. I could sense from a glance it was going to be difficult. The first few lines made me feel extremely uncomfortable and I can say without reservation that your views on this topic literally make my skin crawl. Suffice it to say our opinions on the matter differ.

Your paraphrased argument is that it's my duty to personally save someone if I'm going to bother helping them at all. That's a callous and impractical view of the nature of suffering which is both acute and chronic. I simply don't have the ability, free time, or resources to provide employment or housing for the guy begging for food on the street. I've tried but I've learned that I can't fix someone else's life. What I can do is share a portion of my limited resources to help alleviate some immediate suffering. That's always worthwhile.

Fair enough.

I don't help people though. I would if I could. Being unable to doesn't make me feel good.

Being able to help others does feel good. In and of itself I don't care to do it because it feels good. I do it because of why it feels good. And that's creating more humane universe.

If helping will hurt or harm I am always cautious. It's better to be strong not to bleed for that which we cannot improve. I've been harmed enough by well meaning people. Good intentions. And selflessness to know it's usually not worthwhile to dwell on it if I am not immediately able to remedy something.

It's probably better to buy them food. Or use the money to build shelters or public farms.