While I have nothing profound to add to this thread, nor do I think any psychoanalysis is even appropriate. But, I'll write that this anecdote's theme was the very first thing I had thought about whilst finishing reading up. And I saw it come together as such: It's not completely in the same dimension, but I think it's worth mentioning I've read similar words here on Hubski already: Every person on the street is somebody's Paul. And I need to do more. I'm not sure how yet.
It's easy for us to become numb to the struggles of the world. In the small moments though, it's important to act, because everything that is big and important is made up of those small moments.
You just help this one and that's all you can do" by which he meant since you can't help everyone, just focus on helping where you can and let that be enough. It doesn't solve the problem of choice, but it helped break that paralysis of what to do in the face of overwhelming need.
Small changes and careful actions can be enough to start making a difference without driving yourself crazy.
That is when I realized that if i had started to change myself, I could change my family, who could change my community, who could change my city, who could change my country, who could change the world. --- I've quoted that here a few times before. I truly do believe that small change can lead to big change, and indeed that small change is the only way to create lasting big changes. I think that all of these quotations are evoking that idea - small change leading to big change.First I tried to change the world. When I realized I couldn't do that, I tried to change my country. When I realized that that too, was impossible, I tried to change my city. When I realized the futility of that, I tried to change my family. This was of no use, so I tried to change myself.
Thanks for posting it again for fresh eyes like myself. In a semi-haunting juxtaposition, for some weird ass reason my brain made the connection of Martin Niemöller's "First they came...". I guess the similarity lies in an individual's power/voice in the face of great opposition or inertia. I can see especially lately why you'd have quoted such before granted quite a few posts and/or comments I've read around hubski with regard to our varying levels of awareness in relation to direct to take either in our lives or moral dilemmas. The more recent example being rthomas6's post, and the highly relevant reply from _thoracic....I've quoted that here a few times before.