Picture by
Yevhen Sukhenko from Pexels
147 Survive savior complex!
We are mentally ill and immobilized if we expect our presence to solve every problem in the world.
The problem
We are aware of more burdens than we can lift. Empathetic reaction to world and local news can be crippling if it makes us feel responsible to be saviors of the entire mess. Seeing victims die and children go hungry, we might also suffer survivor's guilt for what we enjoy. We must note that we did not cause the world's present reality and we cannot replace it with our wishes.
Symptoms
- News items become unbearable.
- The load is too heavy for anyone.
- Solutions you would impose are not helpful.
- Self-importance gets in the way of valid service because the world does not depend on you.
Constructive approaches
We can, however, do something!
- Educate yourself on the issues.
- Study empathetically-benefit others rather than your own curiosity.
- Reflect with others on possibilities.
- Combine efforts working on selected, limited actions.
The solution
In life's bigger picture, we appear diluted to the point of being ineffective. Therefore, we narrow our scope to a selected portion where we will focus our efforts. Constantly learning better ways, we modify our work optimally to fit the problems we select. When additional burdens are thrust upon us, we discern what adjustments to make.
The potential load is permanently bigger than our capacity. We learn to live with that fact and move on at a pace we can sustain. This is the Ernstraudian Way introduced in article 38:
- Begin where you are.
- Face the light.
- Proceed at your own pace.
- Bring someone with you.
Mantra
I will discern priorities carefully and accomplish what I can do. I will be mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy to remain able to do this.
Being For Others Blog copyright © 2023 Kent Busse
Have you shared this with someone?