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I Enjoy Helping Others

Strictly speaking, altruism requires complete selflessness. It is the act of helping others without expecting to gain anything from it so in good conscience I can't honestly say that I am drawn to helping others from a purely altruistic place. I do expect to gain something from it because experience has taught me that I will gain something from it, every time and without fail. What I gain is increased happiness. It is my experience, also backed up by science, that when you get your mind off of yourself and your problems and instead do something to help someone else, your happiness increases. If you don't believe it there is an easy experiment you can do. When you find yourself feeling sad, unhappy, maybe even depressed, honestly think back on what your mind has been focusing on. Literally go back through your thoughts and you will find that you have been dwelling on you - your situation, your feelings, your worries. A person has every right to think about anything they want to so I'm not suggesting it's wrong to think about, even dwell on yourself. What I'm saying is if your goal is to feel happier then find a way to get your mind on others. Volunteer, visit nursing homes, help your elderly neighbor. You will feel better and you might just inspire others around you to do the same.
Repete · 61-69, M
What help others without expecting anything back . No way.

That seems to be the response of more and more people today for many reasons .

You are right and helping out even if it's just listening to someone does have its own rewards. We say we don't have time but on the other hand we seem to have plenty of time for the things we want to do.

Make time to help.
frequentlyme · 70-79, M
@Repete Exactly! I help at a homeless shelter for single mothers and their children. What I get back in the way of smiles and kids laughing, really laughing because they have a full tummy and a warm and safe place to be, is beyond imagination, it's simply priceless. It makes me a better me. Nothing more valuable than that.
shytexasgirl · 51-55, F
@Repete You're so right. Spending even a brief period of time listening to someone can brighten their day. During the holidays I realized there are people in nursing homes that never have a visitor, never. Imagine how it must feel to have lived a long life of working hard, raising children and in the end being put away as if you no longer useful. It's heartbreaking to me. If you sit with them for a little while they look so happy and surprised that it makes you want to cry.
shytexasgirl · 51-55, F
@frequentlyme I think that's wonderful. Don't you find that if you help in this way it caused you to feel more hopeful? It seems to me that those who feel very pessimistic about the world take no steps to help in any way. When you feel like you are part of the solution it doesn't seem hopeless.
frequentlyme · 70-79, M
Yes, I agree. It's a circular sort of thing. If I help another, loved one, friend, or even someone I don't really know, I get immediate payback. With loved ones and friends it goes even further. I make them feel good, and they in turn want to make me feel good, which makes me want to make them feel even better, and it goes on and on like that. totally get what you mean. Giving is receiving, no doubt about it.

 
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