Selfish vs Humble

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I don’t want this to become a religious debate, because that’s where this always leads, I just want some opinions. When a person purposely carries others burdens to the point of it wearing them down. Basically putting everyone ahead of them, is it wrong? It’s in no way to avoid their own problems, it actually makes then happy and fulfilled to see others joyful and at ease. They don’t feel they deserve less than others in anyway. They also do not let people take advantage. People continually tell them they are selfless and good, but they end up overextended and worn down all the time. Should trey try to lessen their caring for others? How can they without it seeming they are becoming a lesser person? After working so hard to overcome being selfish and hurtful, it’s like a step back. Should they keep pushing to put others first, if not isn’t that selfish and greedy? Compulsive helping is a disorder, it just hard condone treating it in my eyes.

Category: Tags: asked January 24, 2014

3 Answers

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If it's something that makes the person happy and is helping others, isn't that a good thing? I think it is. I don't think this person is selfish for putting others before themselves, as long as it hasn't gone too far. This person still needs to make sure they're taking care of themselves, too.
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I think being up front with the people the person has been helping is key. If the person needs some down time, it's perfectly acceptable to say, "Hey, I need some time to sleep and reflect on myself, I'll be back tomorrow" As long as you come back after taking that down time, no one will feel abandoned. (Unless they're going through some serious issues, in which case, a professional therapist would be a good idea.)
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It sounds like this person is trying to make up for being a selfish person in the past or something and perhaps that is why they find themselves overextended. There's too much on their plate. Everyone has a limit and that is natural as all of us are human beings.

I think this person needs to maybe re-prioritize the things on their plate so they don't wind up becoming too worn out to the point where they no longer find helping joyful. And that doesn't require someone to care less about people. It's just being honest and realistic about the limits we all come with as human beings.

If the person still can't let some things go, then perhaps it is a pride issue. I've done that - thinking I had this power over people that I don't. Yes, I have influence over others (as does everyone) but if I don't help a person, their life is in no way going to be over. There are others who can help and they themselves can learn to help themselves as well. One person can't do everything.

At the end of the day, helping others should truly just be about the people and not about you feeling like a good and selfless person. It's easy to fall into self-righteousness in that case. But I can't say that is what is going on here or not. I just know how easy it is for people to fall into pride - especially with things like this - because it's seen as a good thing.