Fasten your own oxygen mask first

[_wind_spirit_]

During a discussion in one of my groups, a client said that he didn't feel good about himself because he's never been married, never had children, doesn't have a house with a white picket fence, doesn't have a car, and doesn't have a job from which he'll have a nice retirement. He said that since I had all that, then I was basically an okay person, though I was a little out of the ordinary because I take the bus to work most days. I said that I also don't live in a house, but in an apartment. We continued the discussion by my stating that none of the things he mentioned had anything to do with whether he, or anyone, is an okay person. I pointed out to him that he had been extremely helpful to a neighbor despite having little in the way of resources, and that there are people who have all that he's mentioned but have never cared for or helped others. The group spent most of the rest of the hour discussing what's important as a measure of a person.

The group discussion left me thinking about the fact that compared to many people, I've been very lucky during my life, despite some struggles along the way. I'm feeling a little guilt about this, as I don't feel I'm any more worthy than anyone else to have what I have. After a while I decided that God has given me these blessings so that I can have the energy with which to help others. I want to think that this is so, but it may just be rationalization.