The Giving Tree was a Dupe
Dear Ponti,
I feel like I’m surrounded by people who are struggling and I’m struggling too. I love to help others but I’ve got nothing left. I feel guilty putting myself first, particularly before family, even when I really need to. How can I justify it to myself and others?
– Struggling
Dear Struggling,
In my mid-twenties, I started teaching for a private school in Los Angeles. The demands from students, parents, and coworkers were immense. Yet, I took pride in making myself constantly available to anybody who needed me. I would coach after school for no pay; I would chaperone dances on the weekends; I would travel on class trips. I was young and single, and I thought I would have endless amounts of energy for the rest of my life. During that phase of my life I often described myself as a fruit tree that was producing fruit…
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