Quote 1
Rescue – Jennings Tofel. 1954. Wikioo.
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Fred Rogers
This quotation offers faith and hope in humanity. During the most dreadful events, there are almost always those who help others, or try to rescue and save them.
A child who hears the words above will find comfort in the thought, and hopefully, will grow up wanting to become one of those who help other people.
A man being hit on the head by a falling flower-pot in Rome, Via del Nazzareno. Oil painting by an Italian painter, c. 1890. Wikimedia Commons
Not only in times of strife, but also in daily life, there is always someone whom we can count on, somewhere. We may, at times, have to look for them, but, generally, they will be there, ready to help.
Whilst, of course, there are many horror stories about ‘man’s inhumanity to man,’ there are perhaps even more examples of people rescuing and tending to their fellow human beings.
Quote 2
Wilhelm Gause – Feeding the Poor. 1911. Wikimedia Commons
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
Charles Dickens
This wonderful quotation by a master of English writing points to the fact that ‘lightening the burdens of another’ gives us a purpose in life. Whilst, actually, I must add that no-one is useless in this world , helping others gives us a sense of empowerment and purpose.
Research indicates that giving is good for our health and enhances our sense of wellbeing:
“Collectively, the latest research on altruism shows that being generous activates reward regions in the brain. This may have evolved as a biological reaction to helping others that motivates generosity and binds societies together with cooperation.”
Exchanging self-interest for caring for others can only improve our mood and our ways of thinking. As well as improving the lot of others, we will have stronger relationships and better mental health ourselves.
“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
Maya Angelou
Quote 3
Visiting the poor, illustration from ‘Le Magasin Pittoresque’, Paris, 1844 by Karl Girardet. Wikimedia Commons
“It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.”
Albert Einstein
Many wise philosophers and sages through the years have made the point that we do all have a duty to give something back to others, and to the world.
However, unless we value and care for ourselves, we cannot be caring towards others. Once we feel more confident in loving ourselves, we can turn this empathy outwards and focus on the connections we share with others.
If we work on our own problems, maybe then we will be freer to turn our attention outwards.
This, of course, is easier said than done, and it may be that psychotherapy or counselling is needed to help with self-esteem and developing empathy for oneself.
Then, we will be freer to fulfil these ‘duties,’ our obligations to help others.
Quote 4
Italian School . Unknown artist- A Rough Landscape with Figures on a Zigzag Path. Wikimedia Commons. Between 1600-99
“Let our hearts be stretched out in compassion toward others, for everyone is walking his or her own difficult path.”
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Life is not easy for anyone. We all struggle in many different ways…
Storm Tide – Robert Henri. 1903. Wikioo
“Nobody, as long as he moves about among the chaotic currents of life, is without trouble.”
Carl Jung
Even those who appear to be ‘fine’ or ‘tough’ have difficult periods in their lives. In fact, they may be the ones who need our help the most, as they obviously cannot reveal or share the pain behind their ‘strong’ facade.
We are all part of the human condition. we are all born and we are all going to die. We will, every one of us, age, and we will all struggle with the limitations of our biology.
It maybe easy to forget that everyone is subject to life’s problems and vicissitudes; when we are going through a difficult period, we can feel that no-one else is suffering except us and that everyone else has ‘got it right.’
“Everyone – and that includes therapists as well as patients – is destined to experience not only the exhilaration of life, but also its inevitable darkness: Disillusionment, aging, illness, isolation, loss, meaninglessness, painful choices, and death.”
Irvin D. Yalom
In psychotherapy, there are people who come wanting to be cured of the human condition. They hope to banish pain, grief, the past, forever…yet every one of us, therapists and all, are in the same boat, the boat called the human condition.
We know it in other people because we know it in ourselves: there is no cure for the human condition. Developing an awareness of this fact is crucial if we are wanting to be there for others, and to empathise with our fellow human-beings.
We do not have to help people in a grand or public way; the briefest gesture or deed can be more important to another person than we think.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
Leo Buscaglia
No matter how small is our thoughtful action or our good deed, we can make a difference and, in doing so, we can change the world!
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
Aesop
Quote 5
Still Life with Candle – (Evan Walters)
“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.”
Carl Jung
Jung’s quotation points to life’s meaning; helping others and bringing light to the darkness can give meaning and purpose to our lives. When we have that spark of life-energy inside us, we can emit light to others, make an impact on them and inspire them. We really can ‘spread the light.’
Caring for other people, and reaching beyond ourselves, will make our life feel worthwhile and it can be fulfilling and energising.
“It is essential that you become aware of the light, power, and strength within each of you, and that you learn to use those inner resources in service of your own and others’ growth.”
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Lucia Morning – Carl Larsson. Wikioo
“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”
Rabindranath Tagore
A Dream of Christmas – George Hitchcock. Wikioo.
Wishing all of you who are celebrating, a very happy Christmas! x🎄
©Linda Berman
waysofthinking.co.uk 