In the West, we have quite a narrow definition of success. We think people have “made it” if they offer other economic value.
But when you dig a little deeper into the emotional lives of the people who do amass a lot of wealth, you soon find that there are problems. They have a lot of resources, but they’re still searching for meaning and value in their lives.
The problem with this definition of success at the moment is that it is all about the individual. It’s about acquiring some sort of personal pleasure at the end of the road.
It never actually winds up satisfying you. There’s always some new mountain to conquer.
When you care for others, though, you redirect your energy away from yourself and onto another person. In a sense, you forget about your desires - and that can offer a lot of relief.
You can see this ethic in action in the caring profession if you click here. The founder of the first hospice, Cicely Saunders, was famous for valuing the quality of life of the individual. For her, it was all about the other person - and that gave her meaning.
The benefits caring for another person can bring you personally are enormous. It takes you off the treadmill of economic success and allows you to become a more generous person.
Getting A Sense Of Accomplishment
Getting a sense of accomplishment can be a challenge sometimes. You’d love to feel great all the time about what you’ve managed to achieve in your life, but many of
your personal victories aren’t what you thought they’d be. You hoped that getting a raise or a relationship would make you feel complete, but it didn’t.
Switching your focus outwards towards other people can feel like a massive challenge. But when you do it, it can make all the difference in the world. All of a sudden, you feel like you’re providing meaning. And importantly, you get a sense of accomplishment that goes beyond anything you could generate for yourself.
Feeling Worthwhile
If you sometimes struggle to feel worthwhile in life, then caring for other people could be a way to help.
When you care for another person, you suddenly take on a “parental” role and gain responsibility. Somebody else is relying on you to help them navigate their lives and improve their condition.
Growing Personally
Personal growth is a strange thing and can come from practically any situation. It often comes from the unexpected - when you change the status quo and do something different.
Caring for another person with challenging needs could be the perfect avenue to help you feel like you’re moving your character forward positively. When you look after somebody else, you often have to suppress your desires and develop your powers of empathy. It can be a tough road, but it’s one that’s worth taking. At the end of it, you’ll feel like a much more loving and warm person. And, frankly, that’s because you probably are!
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