WHY SHOULD I CARE?

It's a great question. My friend told me the other day that the question came up over drinks during holiday time south of the border. One Canadian talks about volunteering time and energy to prepare a conference promoting understanding among people of different religions. Another perhaps slightly bored Canadian asks, "Why bother?" "Why should I care?" Basically, why should I give freely of myself for any worthy cause?

At this point in the discussion, one could bring up an ethical principle shared across many traditions -- the "Golden Rule": "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you." Help others out because you want a world in which others will help you out when you need it.

Of course, if you have your retirement well organized and insurance premiums all paid up you may claim that you don't really feel the need for others to help you. Basically, you can suggest that everybody should pay their own way. I am paying my way and others should pay their way. I suppose that there might be someone who could say nobody ever helped them out, the proverbial "self-made man." Nobody opened a door for them, forgave a mistake they made, gave them advice on how to get ahead. 

Whatever the results of those happy hour arguments, the fact is some people do care and some do volunteer time and energy. The question shifts slightly. It is not "Why should I care?" but "Why do I care?" and "Why don't I care?" I like that question better. It's less abstract. I can think about it.

I care and take time for others and for worthy causes because that's what my parents taught me to do. They had time to help others out. They felt that was important and I don't have to think about it. It just seems right to do. I feel better about myself and the world when I help out.

Or maybe I don't care because I have too many projects going already, am physically or emotionally tired, or I'm stressed personally and financially and so on. Perhaps, I'm suffering compassion fatigue. Whatever it is, I find I need a boost.

I may also need a boost when I meet new situations. What happens when I face situations my parents never faced? Will I go beyond the ways of feeling and acting that I learned from my family, as good as they are? The Good Samaritan went beyond what was expected of the good person. He helped the enemy.  What about me? Have I been, will I be more than just a good person for my time and place? Does it happen that I have been drawn out beyond the perimeter of my safe space?