Burdened Helpers

What about the ones who help people when they themselves are burdened?

This was a question asked to me by a friend who was going through a very rough phase in his life. To this, I simply said "We draw strength."

In our lives we are at times faced with situations where the entire balance of our life seem to be lost. A bit like trying to find a foothold in the core of a twister. Ever tried that? Trying to find a foothold in the core of a twister. This we know is not just difficult but nearly impossible. So how is it then that there are those, who regardless of what is happening in their lives are able to support and help those they love and care about.

Sometimes in life we have to put others ahead of us, simply because their need is greater than ours. Those who have experienced deep sorrows and been through tough times know what it feels like to have someone offer words of support and consolation or even maybe just a listening ear. These people know what it is like to be completely broken, and rebuild themselves from the rubble that their lives have become. The solace they got from having someone to listen to their sorrows have helped them in inconceivable ways. 

These kind of people can never ignore someone else in need. Pain teaches us really valuable lessons sometimes. Some of these lessons are quite harsh, it tells you who you can trust, who your true friends are, who are the people you can count on. But it also teaches to understand and empathize with the pain of another. To learn to understand the pain others feel and to provide comfort.