Everyone has needs, and they need to do what they can to address those needs. However, living life to the fullest can sometimes mean helping others out who may need it.

In fact, many people spend their entire lives helping others. They receive a perpetual joy from doing this.

It’s not necessary to give up living your life to help others. You can do both. There is nothing wrong with balancing helping people with satisfying the needs of you and your family. It is a balance though. Some people will lean more towards helping others while most will lean towards taking care of themselves.

Some people don’t want to help anyone. They haven’t made the connection that they could need help themselves one day. It’s probably best to reserve judgment of these people as it’s impossible to know what they are going through in their lives. They could be the ones that require help but are too afraid to ask.

There are also people who help because they believe others will accept them when they do. That may not be a problem because they are lending a hand to others in need. But, these people probably won’t admit that they are helping to gain favor rather than filling a genuine need for help. Doing it for the wrong reasons doesn't always mean everyone wins.

There are many ways to help people. It could be random, where you see people are struggling, and you merely ask if they could use your help. You can also volunteer in your community. Usually, you can find opportunities in your local paper or on the web.

You can also help financially by sending money to organizations that cater to certain causes. There is nothing wrong with helping in this manner. However, you may want to check the organization to make sure they are on the level and ethical. There are too many organizations that seem legitimate but are nothing more than fronts to collect money.

There are also organizations that may be legitimate, but their practices leave a lot to be desired. An example is a charity that pays its organizers hefty sums from the proceeds. Many of them will adhere to the laws so they won’t get in trouble. However, if the compensation is more than you are comfortable with, it’s best to find another organization to support.

You will feel good knowing that you made a difference to other peoples’ lives that you have helped. Helping others can be a rewarding experience for you.