Humanitarianism: a belief in improving people’s lives and reducing suffering.
This is very honorable but how realistic is it? One individual, family, or organization cannot help everyone. The definition above does not say that you need to, or can assist/save everyone – it is a belief, or philosophy in the overall improvement of the human condition. The material I share on this website is an act of humanitarianism, or philanthropy.
Free Will
As an individual, you have the right to choose who you want to help, as well as how and when, you want to do it. Those you help also have free will so, they can take it or leave it. It is best to wait for someone to ask for assistance, but in certain situations you do not have to wait for their permission (e.g. calling an ambulance for someone who has not regained consciousness). You may even help people anonymously if you think that it will be better for all concerned.
Self-Care
You must take care of you (and yours) before you can help others. It is not about being selfish or greedy – it is a fact of life. This always reminds me of those safety procedure speeches they give people on flights right before take off – they recommend that you place your oxygen mask over your face first, before trying to help anyone else. This is because you cannot help anyone if you have collapsed due to lack of oxygen.
Karma – You are Forbidden from Interfering with Natural Law
When you know that someone is suffering due to previous wrongdoing – that is, they are experiencing the consequences of their actions – you must step back and let it play out, even if it is a relative. You may pray for them, or listen to their woes, but refrain from directly interfering with what is happening to them. You will somehow end up paying for it when it is not your cross to bear. Of course, you do have free will, so you may ignore what I have stated within this paragraph…
Helen
