“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

When the peak is reached then self-pity controls your emotions so completely that there seems to be no escape. In a mood of self-pity there is indeed an almost perverted luxury, the luxury of despair, for despair says: There is nothing I can do, and relieves you of any responsibility for change. This applies not to you only but to such a state in general. You become incapable of getting out of yourself, even to the extent of enjoying small pleasures and, little by little it seems every joy is withdrawn from you until nothing is left but despair.

When you help others in your own way, you help and reinforce the self. You develop your own abilities and in closing off from others, you close yourself. You both seem to fear that all your time will be consumed, or that you will be at the mercy of others if you give in at all. This alternative exists only in your own minds, for others will show both gratitude and consideration, and your abilities will deepen and mature, and the gift of empathy be heightened.