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One can either be cynical about it and don‘t help others ever, because they can‘t expect it to ever be reciprocated by the ones you help or others, or they can help for the sake of helping.
The former can make one more cold and isolated, whilst the later, even if they enjoy the act of helping others just by itself, can burn one out.
My approach to this is trying to be helpful by default, but setting and communicating limits. In finding a healthy balance lies the art, as with so many other things in life.
My boyfriend asked me why I kept helping people when they don't appreciate me, and I told him honestly that I never help more than is painless for be, but also, I made a decision about who I want to be, and I won't let other people being assholes change that.
The one in a million person whose life is touch, who really needed it, who can live a better, happier life because of me, is worth fifty assholes. Maybe even a hundred.