help yourself by helping others

Our pain, sadness, and fear need not be minimized. But ancient traditions have recognized the benefit -- the need -- to help ourselves by helping others.

Christians. Native Americans. Psychologists. Buddhists. Atheists. Jews. Twelve-Steppers. Hindus. Pagans. Humanists. Taoists. Muslims. And on and on.

Reaching out to encourage others takes the focus off your own pain, shows love and compassion to other hurting people, redirects energy in an uplifting way, and spreads positivity throughout the human family.

It works. Give it a try.