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Too much compassion?
19/F
Lately I've been noticing that I have a very strong sense of compassion. Normally, I'd think that is a good thing, but it's overpowering. I cry all the time because any time I see a homeless person or someone in need, I feel SO BAD. Like it affects my mood. I feel like I'm not doing enough for society and I get so mad when my friends complain about silly things (iPhone not working, grocery store not having favorite brand of ice cream, etc.) because people are in such worse shape. I feel that I'm at the perfect place in my life to be able to make a difference in the world because I have so much freedom (I can travel, I have no kids, etc.)But I have no idea how to make a difference. I can't just donate money to a random charity. I just have an overwhelming urge to go out and help people and I don't know where to start. Do I have too much compassion? I have no idea how to keep from investing so many of my emotions into this.
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Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
There is nothing wrong with having the compassion you have for others less fortunate than you. I will advice you to be careful given the amount of compassion you are feeling as there are people and charities that will try to take advantage of you. Just as unfortunately there are people who play at being underprivileged or disadvantaged just to get people like you to support them.
Just before Christmas there was a News story about a New York City Police Officer who dug into to his own pocket to buy a homeless man who had no shoes a pair of shoes. Of course this kindness did not go unnoticed by the media. The media also started following the homeless man only to find him a few days later once again shoeless . Upon further investigation the media found out that this man was not homeless and far from destitute. He made his living panhandling on the street as someone down on his luck but lived in a nice apartment in a nice part of the city.
I tell you this because when you have the overwhelming compassion I see in you. It is easy for someone like you to be taken advantaged of. As the other advicer offered find a passion you can support and there are many legitimate charities and causes out there that can use someone like you.
You say you can travel; there is still the Peace core or something like that were you can make the difference in parts of the world where children are dieing for the lack of food and clean water.
As a retired firefighter I would love to see you join MADD or STOP. As fire fighters people think we become jaded to some of the things we need to do. We aren't, it hurts us deeply when we have to cut the bodies of young people out of wrecked cars because someone was driving drunk or someone was underage and driving drunk. MADD and STOP are both great causes that could use an energetic young person such as yourself.
There are many other causes that could use your help. Those three I mentioned just happen to be the three that are the ones high on my list of causes. Of course I would also like to see you go on to college and get a degree in something that some day may find you developing something that will help all of man kind.
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We need a lot more people like you. There's NO such thing as having too much compassion. It's by far NOT a weakness by a long shot. You have a good heart and others you know should emulate you.
What you should do is try and think of the causes that matter to you the utmost. Maybe it's bullying, learning problems, mentally challenged kids/adults or mental health or MADD and responsible drinking/partying.
Once you know what interests you the most you can start approaching their branch offices and associations and volunteer. They want young people like yourself.
If involved with church maybe there are volunteer opportunities there for you from choir to acting, directing or sharing talent for bringing pageants to fruition. You can also volunteer at school for student council as that's a key place to make a difference.
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