Dilemma: Happy because I can or Sad because others aren’t?

This is an unresolved issue that bothers me off and on—



One side of the issue:



How can I be happy/satisfied when so many people in the world aren’t? Knowing that someone, somewhere could use my help makes me feel like I’m leaving someone out—what good is smiling if someone can’t be there to smile beside you? And if both of you are smiling, turn other’s frowns to smiles. But it’s not that easy; sometimes help can’t get to where it’s needed, because of intolerance or close mindedness. So that leaves you alone, knowing the potential of happiness, promoting peace when and where you can, but unable to reach it because the world probably won’t be fixed in your lifetime (or the next, for that matter).



The other side of the issue:



Because I am more or less happy with myself as a ‘free thinker’, I should use my ability to be happy, and smile with other like minded individuals, because why should that ability go to waste? And, in doing so, this demonstration of philosophy will do as much (or more) to promote peace and tolerance than any deliberate action.



I tell myself that I can only do so much to help the world, and stressing over it is counterproductive, but that doesn’t stop this inner conflict. When I’m bothered by this conflict the most (it seems to come and go in cycles), I can’t get my mind off of it, and feel completely out of place in this existence.



Anyone else have a similar problem? Any suggestions?

 

Empathy is a beautiful bitch
It is my opinion that Jesus was a symbol for exactly what your talking about, the deepest pain we experience is feeling pain for everyone else. But it teaches you how to love.