What are your main reasons in helping other people?

The philosophy here I believe is that if you help others, it would be like helping yourself as well because by the time it would be you who may need help, your past generosity would naturally 'attract' help from other people. Anyway, talking about helping a certain gender...are you more comfortable helping someone of the same gender or of the opposite gender? When it comes to the opposite gender, wouldn't it be true that more ultirior motives are present? Like "I want to help her because maybe she would begin to like her, and we may become lovers". Anyway, I guess I mention this just to give a bit of a twist to the discussion :)

Thanks for clearing that out mythociate! Anyway, we don't always help the opposite gender with some hidden motives like the possibility of having a relationship with them. For example, when we help girls we're not attracted at all that hidden motive won't be present. Sometimes we like girls and help them out, and it just feels good to be thanked by someone that is attractive without ever thinking of a possible relationship with her. It's funny how different our motives becomes when we deal with the opposite gender :D

No, the reason is more like 'as you help others, everyone will see that helping you enables you to help still others (so that--to them--"helping you" can be seen as "helping everyone") and also helping-you makes it more-possible that you'll help them in return' And with the opposite-gender: of course, that thought is always in my head; whether I help her or not, I'm always aware of the possibility of a relationship. And a helper is naturally more relationship-worthy than a non-helper, yeah?

I agree with both of you because it's true that God sees all things, and he will reward people according to their works. If you do good, good things will come back to you coming from High. And also while we don't do any wrong things to our fellowmen, like not cheating them as riempie suggested then we would be given a clear conscience...a conscience free of guilt, and at least we would have attained peace of mind for doing good and avoiding evil.

Dear riempie9 and Betterdays4Me, Thank you both so much for you have got my point of view.It is the call of Conscience and Fear of God that is very significant and this awareness is slowly dwindling in the contemporary scenario. Fear of GOD and unswerving FAITH IN HIM automatically lead on to a concern for humanity and will propel us to help others. THANK you both for your kind words of appreciation. with regards S.Radhamani

Doshima, you re so right, and I like what you say about answering your conscience. The worst thing I believe that someone can be afflicted with is being nagged all day by your conscience. Clearing the slate is important, and my mother and grandmother also used to talk a lot about what you do to other people today, your kids end up paying for it. So reward yourself. Don't damn others. Don't cheat others. The good blessings your parents have stored up for you will come as blessings to your kids.

I'm glad to hear you're over it already, ryanong. And I guess we really need to reflect who really needs our help or not. Back to the topic of those who asks money by saying one of their relatives die, I don't give a lot to them and sometimes do give at all so maybe that's the reason why for a long time no such person comes to our house anymore with that kind of reason for their request for help. I agree with you, most if not all of them are just lying about it.

Thank you. It is past then i am ok with it now. Since from that i have to think carefully they are really need my help or not then i decide to help or not. I don't want to give my help to scam people more. You do right when you don't give not much to them. I think many of them just tell lie to get a help only.

Ya, thank you for your concerning. I still want to help the others people without any condition when i can..it makes me happy.

God bless your soul, my friend. Anyway, we really have a soft heart to those who are less fortunate in this world and doesn't have any means to help themselves. For me, it hurts to see a lot of sufferings from people whom I think doesn't have any choice to be in a different situation...those born with physical handicapped, victims of any kinds of injustices, born in poverty, and many other similar situations. I guess that their situation shouts for someone to help them...generous people who can make their life more bearable.

I understand how you feel, thewonderboy. I think helping is a 'heart issue' and those who have heart for others help the more. It also makes me sad when I see a lot of situations like what I mentioned...and also when you watch the news on tv, it is even worse. So my solution to this is to watch less news :)

Some times I feel really sad see the ones who are handicapped ,this makes me to give something for them. I used many of such people. I believe I have a good heat inside me and this is the one of the reason why I am able to help others

Very good point. I think it should be a natural instinct for us to help when we see someone in need of it. This way, we don't 'reflect' the 'why' but we immediately 'act' on the 'how'. I think if everyone would be doing this, this world would be a much better place to live in. It's great to have people like you around, victorkrish :

hi , just yesterday an employee came to my work place and he was having some family problems,and i listened at first to what he had to say it was a very difficult situation and i tried to help him,i gave him a sum of money,hoping it would make his burden a little lighter.i felt good even though some co workers felt i should not off i gave it how can u see someone in need and not help.i cant not help its my nature to do things like this.

It's your own prerogative whether you want to be generous or not. Sometimes having a willing ear is already a great help in such situations. Well, if you are capable of giving financial aid, why not? I think everyone is free to do what he or she feels is right. Anyway to add something to it, I believe it's true that every good deeds are seen in heaven and God will reward you accordingly :)

When you said that you help others without expecting something in return and when you are in need of some help, help is always there for you...I can think of only one word, and that is the law of 'karma'...what you give out will sooner or later be give back to you. You also mentioned about sharing information, and we can really see that mylot is such a good place to give help and look for it. I too have a lot of questions in mind that are answered convincingly by many mylot members...and I do hope I also help others, because that is also my intentions whenever there is an opportunity to share my opinions or if asked, give some advice. :) Anyway, I like what you said about 'scoring kudos with God'. Isn't that what's most important? in my opinion that is the most important of all, because you can sometimes get disappointed with people because they are not perfect like yourself, but with God it would be a different story. When we find favor with God, I guess every area of your life would be taken good care of :)

In that case, I would rather be cautious using that world at least for awhile as I might offend other religions. Religion is really a sensitive topic and I respect all religions. I'm glad to hear you are able to overcome a lot in your own experiences, riempie and I hope you will soon get over the remaining personal stuffs as well. I want to finish by saying I do have my faults as well and have done things in the past that I wish I have never done at all. Well, I know there is time for hurting and there is also time for healing...

You and I think the same. You will notice the scoring kudos part was written last as I don't want people to think I'm preaching. There is a thing as being too self righteous which appears arrogant in Islam. When I was young I was very arrogant, and luckily I nipped it in time. It is definitely karma. And right now as I am writing I feel a rush of love for God. I have my faults, and one of them is a big one. I want to write as much as I can to say sorry to God. Thanks for your letter.

Maybe to give more example to the biblical saying "do unto others...", it's simply putting yourself in another's shoes and ask "If I am the one in his/her position, how would I like to be treated?" And the answer of course would be the right path of action. So with your example of an elderly lady, if I imagine I'm the elderly lady, of course I would like someone to help me reach the heavy item on the top shelf in the grocery store...and then by "reverse transformation", you then become that person to help her with it. Anyway my term reverse transformation somehow reminds me of the transformers :D :D :D

I think that is why therapists and doctors alike are highly respected by people, because their work is to serve by making other people get into a better state of health. Anyway, it's good to hear that there are still a lot of therapists who do their work mainly for helping others and not simply to make money. My respect goes for you, Derek. Yes, it really feels good when you feel that what you are doing will make God smile. It would really be great if you will have a lot of opportunity to help many, and in this way you will be storing riches in the afterlife :D

It feels good when you embrace God. I don't know how some people can do without God. Helping others is a big thing in God's book, but not if you talk about it. I don't mean in this little discussion, but broadly. We are all writers and we are all here to share info. It is definitely not for the money. I would get more begging on the street. I am addicted, and for once, it is a good addiction. Have a super day.

I'm sure you're going to be an ideal friend to have because you think so much what you can give to others and because of your kindness. I see your point that when you give, it makes you a better person and this reminds me of a popular friendship saying "I'm a better person because of you" so we can also say "I'm a better person because I give without asking for return."

Yes, the law of karma is at work again in your example, savypat. I guess this law is universal. I just wonder, is the word "karma" an indian word? If not, where did this word originate from? If someone knows, then maybe a lot of us can learn something new :D

I'm almost sure it didn't come from the word "karma sutra"..lol.

When helping becomes second nature to you, then I think it really becomes a part of your system. So I think for many people, there really is no reason for helping others...it's simply a natural urge or instinct, and people who feels for others simply cannot ignore those approaching them without giving some kind of help. As alottodo says "that is the way I am" or it's just a part of me to help others. For me, that is quite a commendable state to be in.

I think that is having a spirit of service for your fellowmen which is always commended. I remember when I was very young and studying as an elementary student, and being a member of a boyscout we have the them "boyscouts are always ready to help at all times". When we grow older, we can have similar attitude of service for our fellowmen and we see them in our soldiers, in the government, in the church and in many other types of institution and organizations. I believe the world needs a lot more of men and women with a heart to service.

When others help us, we feel gratitude to that person and because of that we usually wanted to imitate that person and do likewise when others are in a similar fate. It is consoling and a bit scary to know that we are somehow interconnected with each other. But I agree with this, and usually like in a chain we need to strengthen the "weakest link" so that the whole chain won't break. I remember the song with these lyrics "come young citizens of the world...we are one, we are one"...

I agree that we should help others out of genuine sympathy for them. So in this case, the reason for helping others is simply because you feel for them and it hurts you to see them in that particular situation they are in. I think the world needs a lot more people like this :)

Thank you, i agree.

I think helping others without expecting anything in return is the right way to help. Anyway, it is often true that those who help other people the most would find help easily and quickly whenever they need it. Thanks for sharing your opinions, lynboobsy11.

yes thanks for sharing that jazel_juan. I do hope you will be able to help more people along the way. It's really nice to be more on the giving side. Good day!

I think this is why oftentimes it would be better to donate in popular charitable organizations where you won't have this nagging doubts of 'what if my help won't get to those respective people who really needs help and they keep my money into their own pockets?' I agree that a lot of discernment is needed in knowing who is pretending to need help and who are really in need of it. As time goes on, I think experience teaches us to have better discernment so we are able to help those who deserve to be helped and somehow avoid helping those who are just trying to trick us. You seem like a really generous guy, goldenteardrops and I have a feeling you're quite blessed too in many ways. May you have more good 'karma' to come :)

I also don't like to see other people suffer in any way. You mentioned about people are sometimes to blame concerning their financial difficulties because of mismanagement of the money they earn, and this is true in many cases. I think the help these people need is to let them realize their money mismanagement, because usually these people are 'able people' who has a work and an income, so they just needed to make use of their income in a wiser way. Those who are born poor and who live in poor countries are the ones who needed the world's attention most. In this case, I think the rich countries should help the poor countries more...I know they are helping already, but maybe they can help even more.

This only shows that people are not only physical beings, but they also have a heart and soul that can't bear to see others suffer without an effort of helping them. So I think that helping others is also a 'human instinct' given by the creator.

I guess one of the things that makes a person feel really good is when we make others feel better about their situation. There must be something about the generous person that makes us feel that they are happy people. It's as if there is a certain solid rule that says "Be generous...then be happy." :D