Noting the needs of others

I want to share something that I found helpful in battling my depression. I hesitate to post these thoughts because I don’t want them to be misunderstood and in the process hurt people.

I have found that focusing or even acknowledging the needs of others can help me. Watching TV shows like DIY SOS really encourages me and reminds me how there are so many things right in my life.

I go to India every 18 months and take lots of cash with me to fund philanthropy work there. Kolkata reminds me how blessed I am.

I don’t want this to imply that depression is intrinsically linked to self pity, it isn’t. At my worst when I was suicidal my thoughts were so warped I couldn’t see others needs. However when I am battling focusing on others helped.

Giving invokes risk. You can get hurt. You can be taken advantage of. For instance, giving money to beggars in India is counter productive. The beggars in Mumbai earn 8 times the national wage. Mothers in Kolkata drug their babies to make them sleep and look cute.

In the charity my Wife and I run in Sydney has had its share of people who have taken advantage of our generosity, but the majority of people have excelled and make us proud.

Giving, risky but helpful.