Help Yourself By Helping Others

It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am back in school and one of the things the student group does is provide food baskets around the holidays for students who are in a difficult financial situation. I went to a teacher and said I wanted to nominate someone in the class I knew was going through a tough time. If she didn’t get chosen, I said, I’d like to know so that I can put together something. Don’t get me wrong, I am not exactly flush with cash, but as the saying in my family goes, “We have everything we need, and most of the things we want.”
In other words, I have enough to share.
The more good things I can do for others, the better I feel about my life and myself, even when circumstances are less than ideal.

I don’t have a lot of time, but I have some time to share with a friend or child.

I don’t have all the answers, but I have some time to listen.

I don’t have the perfect wardrobe, but I have enough to share with someone else.

I don’t have unlimited love, but I have enough to share with an animal who needs attention.

I love this quote from the founder of Eating Disorder Hope.
“As a therapist, founder of the Eating Disorder Hope organization and recovering eating disorder sufferer, I can say that I have learned one thing about eating disorder recovery, and it is that the eating disorder sufferer must embrace their unique self and God given gifts and talents. There is a strong correlation between using one’s gifts to help others, the community and the world and one’s recovery. Remember, the world needs you! ” ~ Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC