I'm being reminded of this fact as I sit here watching one of my favorite Netflix shows, The 100. I love this show for so many reasons but the main one is simply because it is the greatest representation of human nature that I've ever seen.
As humans, our need to survive, willingness to do whatever it takes for our families, eagerness to want to do what's right, and frailty in the face of unavoidable decisions that must be made throughout our lives, we are all bound to make mistakes, have regrets, win some and lose some.--Tis the journey of our existence.
For the most part we try to do the right thing and in most cases, even when not everyone agrees, we make our decisions based on what we think will turn out best for ourselves, our loved ones, and if the circumstance allows, the majority of all people. Regardless of who we are or where we come from, we are all wired to survive.
Many of us on the other hand are wired with something a little more than just our own natural survival instincts. Some of us are consistently insistent on saving everyone else even if it means sacrificing their own well being. Those of us, myself included, who suffer from this need to help, heal, change, set in motion actions that can change the world often have a hard time facing the fact when the instance arises in which there's "nothing more they can do".
I say "suffer from" because some of us can't sleep at night from the constant knowledge of there being people who need us. I speak for myself when I say, I can't rest in my comfortable bed when I know someone else is huddled under a bridge with their children. It's hard for people like us to come to grips that this is reality and there is literally no way to change this for everyone. Yet we still strive each day and do our best to at least change it for as many as we can.
The unhealthy fact is that if we let our need to save consume us, being that there will always be so many who need saving in this world, we can lose our own health, minds, and happiness in the process. I've let myself get to this point too many times before I realize that if I'm out of commission because I've literally burned myself out, who can I help at that point?
You've heard me say so many times that you must put the mask on yourself first in order to help anyone else. Let me also add that once you've done this, you can only help as many as you can help. The goal is to always do your best, never give up, and when the journey is over, don't live with regrets for the ones you couldn't save, be at peace with the fact that you did everything you could do and likely set into motion for others to follow in your footsteps, aiding millions more because of what you started.
Another matter of fact--you can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved. In the charitable world, especially dealing with homeless individuals, there are many who simply do not want your help. Some of them don't even know why. Perhaps bitterness? Pain? Whatever the cause, if you're like me, you can become so obsessed with helping that one person who continues to refuse your help that you miss out on all the ones you could have helped in the meanwhile.
So two facts I consistently repeat to myself so that I can rest assured I've done all that I can do each day...
1. You can't save them all. Just do your best.
2. You can't save anyone who doesn't want to be saved.
When you come to grips with these two truths, you will gain peace of mind to continue on your heroic life journey knowing that you are performing at your maximum ability to aid as many as you are able. You are serving the purpose you where put on this earth for--the one that pulls at your heart daily. The rest, you must understand, can only be left in the more capable hands of God.
Peace to you my friends! Until next time! XOXOX
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