A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle.

Working in a hospital, it's sometimes stressful, but you have moments that are very rewarding. I saw this statement today  "A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle." and was wondering how true it is. Ultimately, helping someone, especially in a palliative state, can be very draining, and if you put all your effort into someone else's comfort, your own comfort will be drained. The analogy of a candle in care, at first, seems unappropriate. A better analogy would be 2 cups. One cup is filled with water and the other cup is empty. As you help someone, in a hospital or otherwise, your cup will slowly empty, and the other cup will slowly fill. It's draining. A pastor recently said this in his sermon. You always have to make sure your own tank is filled. This doesn't mean being selfish, but it means that at the end of the day when you have drained your tank, that you take time to refill it. Some people may do this through exercise, baking, being with friends/family, etc. If you don't refill it, your tank will be empty and you will have nothing left to give the next day.

The idea of the candle is nice, and comforting, but it's not completely true. Unless you see the whole cycle of kindness. When you drain your tank to help others, your reward can be found in witnessing the effect on the other person. Therefore, when you light another candle, and help another person, you can strengthen yourself and the other person. Selflessness is hard to achieve because sometimes you don't see the whole cycle, and instead you are just drained, and not refilled.

In the hospital, you have thankful patients and not-so-thankful patients. But one patient who is thankful can make your whole week.

So the next time someone helps you, or drains their tank for you, be appreciative, be thankful, and refill their tank. And when you drain your tank for someone, know that it is worth it, regardless of their response.