It has been proven time & again that interdependence is the highest level of development. Many things (even nature) thrive better on one or more mutual dependence. Consequently, we cannot escape having to help one another at different points in our lives.
However, helping somebody (whether of higher or lower status than us) shouldn’t be a disturbing issue. You’d probably have noticed that if something is really destined to happen, it doesn’t matter whether you play your role or not. If you do not help a particular individual, the person would end up being helped by another person. So, why sweat it! Do not crucify yourself down if you can’t help.
The easier way out is to politely let the person know that you regret that you can’t help him/her at that point in time due to personal reasons, especially if helping the person might cause you inconveniences that you really do not want to sacrifice.
In essence, never ever burn yourself out helping people. If you have to, do just what you can do with a pure self-less heart. It is your heart that matters.
