Jordan and I both have a tendency to want to rescue people. This builds out of wanting to help (good desire), being very capable relative to those around us (maybe objectively true, maybe not), and believing we can do things to assist (sometimes true, possibly more often untrue).
Doing what we can is worthwhile. Sometimes we may want to overreach.
Because the reality is, we can’t save everyone. We can assist, love, share, and sacrifice to help others, but in the end, they are acting agents in their own lives.
We can counsel, advise, suggests, and recommend, but in the end we cannot act for anyone else.
At the end of the day, we are each agents to act for ourselves, and if we took over and acted for them, we would be robbing them of necessary experience.
Even if our only aim was to alleviate suffering, we would not be completely successful, and we would not want to be.
Suffering is purifying. Suffering cleanses the mind and soul. Yes, anguish hurts. Yes, anxiety overwhelms.
But without something to clearly and obviously point out things that need to be changed and removed from your life, how will you grow and progress?
I can’t save everyone. I can’t actually save myself. But I can sometimes help, and I can relieve minor amounts of pain.