How much do you care?

Question

I mean, really, how much do you care about the rest of the world? Outside of your family and your friends, the horrible things you hear about on the news but that do not affect you otherwise, how much do you care about them?

I've been thinking about this recently, and I realized how difficult it can be do feel compassion for faceless strangers you'll most likely never know. Not to say that I don't care, but it seems that no matter what, no matter how much I think about all of the awful things happening in the world and how much I wish I could change it, in the end I always get caught up in my busy life and forget about all of those people. Is that selfishness? Is that cold-hearted, uncaring cruelty? I mean, not being part of the solution, am I just part of the problem? Or am I just another person trying to get by?

I'm just curious how other people feel about this.

Answer 1

I know what you mean.

I think that is basic human survival instinct though.

Also, sometimes when you think of the gravity of human suffering around the world, or even close by, the problems seem so vast and so hopeless, it sometimes seems easier just to focus on ourselves.

I think the best thing to do is just be the best person you know how to be, set your own moral and ethical guidelines and give yourself a break. Do what you can in your own way. There is only one "you" in the entire world, and I am sure you contribute a lot to the people around you every day.

We can't carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, you know?

Answer 2

I get caught up in what's happening in the world & I feel sad about it at the time. A few hours later I may find myself laughing about something then I remember something else I saw on the news & get sad again.

The problem is that we can't change the whole world. We want to, but it's just not possible....& we're making ourselves miserable with every attempt & failure.

It may be best to try not to be so affected by things we personally cannot control. However, there's no reason we can't try to do something good in our own respective litlle corners of the world.

Answer 3

It's just...how life is, I guess.

We're all trying to get through life and be successful [in our own ways]...so it's hard. To care that much about strangers.

Yet that does seem to make us sound selfish, though...or me, at least. I mean, I feel selfish=/

But there are those types of people who look around and want to change the bad things, so....

The world just keeps spinning....

Answer 4

I feel the same as you do. Its hard to feel compassion for others especially when I'm too busy just trying to get by day by day to stay above water and not sink and drown in this downward economy and not lose my house cuz I can't pay the mortgage and wind up homeless myself.

Answer 5

i don't think you're selfish. i think about the world in all it's illness, hunger, etc. (war)..... and I know that the only 'person' who can really handle things is GOD. So i pray for him to take care of everyone.

Answer 6

I care to much...It's why I am a nurse.