carebear
Guest
People do some terrible things to each other, many times without knowing, although usually provoked.
Some people have that drive to make the world a better place, and some are truly out for their own good. I have my own blend of existential angst that makes me feel my life is pretty pointless if I'm not doing anything for someone else. This summer I'm visiting a cousin in Capetown (S.Africa) and we're going to do some volunteer work for the schools that need so much help down there. And true in a way I get the warm and fuzzy feelings for doing something to benefit others but I don't see it as selfish at all. I see it as my obligation, my rent for living on this planet, to do what I can. Granted I have done my share of things I regret out of anger or ignorance, but I know I've never done anything to intentionally hurt anyone, and I don't plan to, ever.
Cobaltbabe, if you are really serious about volunteering in a third world country, I did a lot of research about that last year.
On another tangent...I'm such a sucker for people in need...in undergrad I was pre-med because I wanted to be a psychatrist and help people, but after my internship, I knew I couldn't handle it, because I would take it all home with me. So I decided to follow the lure of corporate america and although the $ is good and little things you take for granted (like health insurance
) keep you trapped, there is too much of an "us against them" mentality that is so pervasive. I got out and now I'm a professional mediator, and I feel like I make a difference that way. The work is so rewarding, and I feel like I'm saving people from the legal system.lol
Some people have that drive to make the world a better place, and some are truly out for their own good. I have my own blend of existential angst that makes me feel my life is pretty pointless if I'm not doing anything for someone else. This summer I'm visiting a cousin in Capetown (S.Africa) and we're going to do some volunteer work for the schools that need so much help down there. And true in a way I get the warm and fuzzy feelings for doing something to benefit others but I don't see it as selfish at all. I see it as my obligation, my rent for living on this planet, to do what I can. Granted I have done my share of things I regret out of anger or ignorance, but I know I've never done anything to intentionally hurt anyone, and I don't plan to, ever.
Cobaltbabe, if you are really serious about volunteering in a third world country, I did a lot of research about that last year.
On another tangent...I'm such a sucker for people in need...in undergrad I was pre-med because I wanted to be a psychatrist and help people, but after my internship, I knew I couldn't handle it, because I would take it all home with me. So I decided to follow the lure of corporate america and although the $ is good and little things you take for granted (like health insurance
) keep you trapped, there is too much of an "us against them" mentality that is so pervasive. I got out and now I'm a professional mediator, and I feel like I make a difference that way. The work is so rewarding, and I feel like I'm saving people from the legal system.lol