How to Help the Helpless

It is very important and yet difficult to help those who are not able to help themselves. First of all, we need to understand in the specific case of a helpless person, what is the best kind of help to be given.nnIf there are a group of people who are starving, then the answer may be to give money to a reputable organization that can use the funds to purchase food for the hungry. If there are people who are homeless, unless one can provide a home (which many of us cannot or do not feel comfortable offering) then the best way to help might be to either volunteer time to an organization for the homeless, or give funds to such an organization. Sometimes the best way to help the helpless is through an organization dedicated to helping a particular group of people.nnWhen someone we know personally needs help, such as a family member of close friend, then we need to find out from that person what will be most helpful. If our loved one is recovering from surgery would it be helpful to bring food? If so, we need to find out what kind of food the person is advised and likes to eat, or our food will simply take up room in the refrigerator and never be eaten. If the person needs to have someone walk the dog or feed the cat, then we need to know if we can do that j0b, or if someone else needs to help in that way. If the person needs shopping done, perhaps that is the thing to do. When getting a list of the person’s needs, it is important to organize a group of family or friends so that as large a number of people as possible share in the helping activities. As one person, it becomes too difficult to keep up with all of ones own responsibilities as well as the responsibilities of a loved one who for the moment, cannot do their own chores. Sometimes the best way to help a loved one in need is to organize a group of “helpers.”nnIt becomes harder to know how to help a helpless person who really could help themselves if he or she was motivated to do so. We all know people who through lack of courage, moral stamina and determination, bring themselves into a place of despair that they could get themselves out of. From my point of view, these people need a spiritual lift into an energy of hope. They need a psychological understanding that they are responsible for themselves. In many of these cases, we advice people to seek medical help or to see a therapist. When the person refuses, it becomes very difficult to know how to help a person who will not help themselves. I sometimes reach a point where my only choice is to pray for a person in such despair, as my phone calls and visits do not seem to provide much help. In these cases, I also have to put a limit on the number of phone calls and visits I make, because ultimately I can also become depressed and frustrated. However, I do not wish to stop communication, but must set limits. Sometimes we must set limits with people who could help themselves but do not.nnHelping others is an important part of the spiritual path for each one of us. It is difficult to make time to help others and often difficult to share our money. But unless we are starving ourselves and unable to take care of ourselves, we must make both time and money, within our own limits, available for those in need.nnPsychic Medium Carole Lynnenn***nnwww.carolelynne.comnnwww.carolelynnecosmicconnection.com