Posted by Pinky.
I've always found it a little unnerving how human beings can seem so selfish when it comes to lavishing so much care on their own children. After all, there are literally millions of starving children all over the world at this very moment, and intellectually speaking, I'm sure every parent knows this. And yet, when it comes time for parents feed their children, clothe their children, provide toys and amusements to their children and so on, people do not give their offspring as little as possible in order to have more food, clothes, and whatnot to send to all those unknown needy children. Doesn't it seem like there's something wrong with this kind of thinking?
But tonight, as I was giving my AntFarm™ ants some water, I caught myself feeling so happy to watch my ants contently drink their water. I was thinking to myself, "Ants, it is hot and dry out there in the desert and untold millions of your ant brothers and sisters are suffering without enough water to drink everyday. I can't take care of all of them but I can take care of you. So drink and be happy, ants."
That's the same thing, isn't it? (albeit, substituting ants for children)
Is this how we deal with the knowledge that the world is cruel and there is an incomprehensible amount of suffering going on? Do we ever give love and caring to those very close to us in order to protect ourselves from feeling too much compassion for those who are farther away? And don't these kinds of self-protective mechanisms lead to more inaction, and ultimately more suffering?
I need to reconsider how my feelings are short-circuiting my understanding of my own responsibilities and limitations, especially as it relates to 'helping others'. I'm sure there's some kind of evolutionary-biological reason why such complicated emotions developed in cats and human beings, but tonight I can't help but feel like I would be acting much more responsibly in this world if I had less feelings to contend with.
~pinky
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Posted by Bunny: That was fairly incomprehensible. What is your point?
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Posted by Pinky: I don't know.
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Posted by Kim: I don't think we have to make points. Points are overrated.