Helping people is supposed to be good for you

But how do you find joy in it when you don’t like “people” in general?

Just seeking ways to reduce work stress / stress in general.

I hear you. Most humans are a waste of space. Almost all people worthy of help are self-sufficient enough to help themselves.

2 Likes

LOL,yea I hear ya. I HATE everyone but I tolerate certain ones! I said that to my HR guy when I was working my full-time job and his eyes crossed,LOL.
Yea people are f**cked up for sure and its hard sometimes to deal with them,but with that said I interact with the ones I have to,be nice and to the point and move on,if there dicks I just nod my head and walk away.
Not sure what your full-time gig is Ron3 but I know diff jobs, professions have different issues for sure. I was lucky enough to work by myself for the 20+ years in my last job,there were plenty of peeps around but it was the kind of job I could keep to myself unless I was needed or chose to interact. And even with that I did what I said above,talked to the people I liked and just a head nod or Hy to the ones I didn’t see eye to eye with or care for. If your in a place where you have to deal with a bunch of douche’s and can’t get away I feel for ya,I always told all the new guys or distraught people to just come in do the best ya can in the time allowed and then go home,don’t take it with ya,but sometimes that’s hard for some people.

1 Like

You have to find better people to be around. There are good ones out there. Sure, I agree, most are @ssholes, but there are good people. I am willing to help those people and it does feel good to help them.

i.e, I just helped a friend put on his skid plates on his 4Runner. He wants to get into 4wheeling, but isn’t much of a a car guy/mechanic. No problem. He came down to my house, I put it on ramps and we knocked it out… He was happy and I didn’t mind helping out at all. If I needed help with something, he would help, no questions.

1 Like

I can’t claim any “great deeds” of altruism, but I help folks when I can. Pretty simple really, see someone in a bad spot help them out. Doesn’t really matter whether it’s big or small. Doesn’t even matter if they “deserve it” or not. Stop and help if someone is broken down, write a check to a local charity, join something like the Box Project.

I don’t imagine that I have changed anyone else’s life with the help I have given. But being willing to help, even in small ways, lifts my spirits just a bit.

2 Likes

All good thoughts & info above guys! Life is to short to be stressed and pissed all the time. And when I say I hate everyone and just tolerate the ones I need to its tongue in cheek kinda. While people annoy me I just work through it and like stated many people are good at heart.
Now with all that said I needed a P/T job after retiring from my full time one over a year ago and I ended up getting a job at the local LOWES, :roll_eyes: and for the most part I kinda like it! I help people everyday find what there looking for and for the most part many are very happy & great full for the assistance! Makes me feel good when I can help someone find something they really need or something for there home. In my 4 months there I have only had 2 Karen’s and 1 irate douche bag looking for a generator after we had a big thunderstorm roll through and everyone’s power was out for a couple days & we had 0 left. I guess make the most out of it and move on. :wink:

3 Likes

I used to be cynical and thought “no good deed goes unpunished” after 11 years as an LEO. As I’ve gotten older I realized that when I do something to help someone out how they receive it and what they do with it is on them, not me. I do the right thing and move on. I believe it was Martin Luther who said “God doesn’t need your good works, but your neighbor does”.

4 Likes

I have been in Fire Suppression since 1995 and cross-trained EMT Intermediate since 2006. I can’t think of any better profession than helping a fellow human in need. Seeing people at their worse and pulling them back to give them a chance is wonderful and fulfilling.

But after a while:

  1. Multiple shootings every summer
  2. Frequent fliers
  3. The abuse of 911 to replace a regular Dr appointment
  4. Constant fatigue due to 24 hr shift and getting 2 hrs sleep
  5. Stress from being exposed to young destroyed bodies

Thank God for vacation, the love of a great family, I am ready for more until the pension beckons

4 Likes

I think the more I’m invested in a job, the more it upsets me to see others who DGAF. I will go 100% for you all day long, I just need you to care and show me some respect.
Show me some ignorance, disrespect or a lack of motivation and I’m done, You’re on your own.
I’ve tried to explain “For the Want of a Horseshoe Nail” to People and they don’t get it.
So, if I know what’s going on and you know and want to accomplish the job, I’m here for you.
Hell I’ve certainly got the tools.

The only way forward is through. It can be tough to disengage the ego and just reach out with a helping hand, especially since our society encourages judgment first. Don’t come down on yourself too hard either. Generosity may feel unnatural but the benefits are manifold.

Try volunteering at a food bank, animal shelter, or see if Meals on Wheels needs a hand.

Perfect example;
There was a puddle in the yard between my neighbors yard and my own.
I cut the grass every week, so when I saw the water I went and got a shovel. A cut or two in the ground and I was sure the water was coming in to that area from under his foundation.
The lay of the land makes his house about 4 inches higher than mine, the further I stick the shovel in on that slight rise the more water I find.
Water having a propensity to run downhill rather than up, I go see the neighbor.
Six Months that water slowly leaked out of his foundation.
Just trying to Help.

I can’t imagine going through life with such a pessimistic attitude.

Literally nothing else in life matters more than people.

The most precious possession you have in the world is your own people.

2 Likes

Who are “my own people”?

you-people

2 Likes

In my case, the sons and daughters of the European diaspora who civilized the world.

We share blood, the only thing that matters.

That judgment is up to each man to make.

Yeah, we are tribalistic, but that’s okay, because if we all take care of our own tribe, no problems; right?

Just because I love my own children doesn’t mean I have to hate my neighbors.

Of course I favor my own even unto my death, but that doesn’t mean I can’t wish my neighbor the best, work toward an common good and as long as both sides can interact peaceably they should.

But if violence is chosen then I will always choose my own over another.

As it’s been said for eons:
Me against my brother.
My brother and I against our cousin.
My cousin, my brother, and I against the world.

That would be a generalization though. Some relationships that people have with non-family are closer than some of their family.
A friend you grew up with or are really close with would definitely win out over a family member that you are not close with. Blood doesn’t trump all. Personal relationships do.

1 Like

Disagree.

I suppose it’s a matter of personal judgment, but nothing is more important than blood and soil.
I owe fealty to my ancestors who brought me and mine into the world. Without them I wouldn’t exist, nor would my culture, my history, or my children.

What I owe them is to preserve what they gave me to pass to the next generation.

I haven’t spoken to my sister in a few years, terminal TDS.
But she is my sister, and I would never choose a non family members well being over hers.

A good friend understands familial obligations.

I know way back in time most of my ancestors came from Northern Europe, Germans and Irish mostly.
But I never knew any of them, I appreciate what happened to bring me here, but honestly, I’m more likely due to some unsettled lust on a Saturday morning than some grand plan to pass on the genetic good life.

If anything I’m glad I ended up in this great Country.
My Grandfather started off his married life as a sharecropper, so that’s pretty much the American dream and the really great thing is my Mother and her Brothers and Sisters were able to pass that “Leg Up” on to the next generation.
Now I’m 64 and have been retired for five years, my Son graduated University and married a Girl from the next Class.

I really don’t mind the little things, neighbors asking for a lift or to help move somehting, but honestly charity starts at home, finish your nest before feathering someone elses.
Randomly I help folks who need it, just out of the Blue.