In what ways have helping others boosted your confidence, and do you think it's a path to personal growth?

Was there a specific moment, person, or event that helped people who used to have a victim mentality snap out of that mentality?
What are some reasons people might pretend to be asleep besides wanting to hear conversations?
What are the subtle differences in how wise and merely intelligent people handle stress or conflict?
How can you tell if someone is intelligent but not wise when they express their opinions or make decisions?