Good evening Marillion,
This text is superb. Is it a passage from a book?
Yes, I agree. Listening, understanding, and having an understanding of the other—that is what it means to move toward them. And yes, again regarding pride, when we try to put ourselves forward and boost our own image by helping the other.
Actually, the thread is fragile and very thin: in the case of certain celebrities, for example, who get involved in more or less humanitarian causes, one often wonders whether it’s for publicity, a genuine commitment based on convictions, or a bit of both: giving more strength to a sincere action through the weight of media coverage, to mobilize people. And then there are ordinary men and women, people who will never be known but who will always dedicate themselves to the destitute or those in distress.
I think we can recognize the sincerity of an outstretched hand. I think the beauty of a soul, of a being, is visible.
The idea that someone uses another person’s distress to feed their own pride by helping them chills me and seems truly unhealthy.
There are so many other paths that humans can take to satisfy their ego without resorting to exploiting people who are suffering.
Yes, understanding what the other person understands, accepting that their logic is their fundamental element in order to take their hand and lead them toward the best, is a very beautiful image. That must be true wisdom…
You know, I was listening to “Gentle Earth and Sky” by Michael Gettel (it’s New Age, and by the way, I love it) when I came across your post. And after reading it, I thought to myself, “How good I am here, at this very moment… beautiful music that makes me feel alive, on the couch in my pajamas, reading your posts, thinking, writing, with my coffee.” I caught a truly exquisite moment.
Thank you Marillion 
Friendship,
Natou