Dear Cr-Abby from Wants to Help in Eden, NY

DEAR CR-ABBY:
I am a 21-year-old man in college. I am training for a profession I will love, and I know my future will be very bright.
I would like to volunteer at a soup kitchen or do something for the poor. I have done turkey drives and food drives before, but never worked directly with the people I'm trying to help. My problem is I tend to become very sad or feel helpless when I'm around disadvantaged people. I identify too strongly with their suffering.
Cr-Abby, I want to help as many people as I can during my short time on this planet, but I'm paralyzed by their pain. Is something wrong with me? Have you any suggestions?
-- WANTS TO HELP IN EDEN, N.Y.

Dear Doer in Paradise-Not,

As a college student I assume you are aware of the mutually-exclusive quandary you have created. Poor need help, I want to help, but when I help I feel helpless Ergo Poor get no help from you.

Re-read that enough times before your logical side out guns your inner demon. Just think, someone could have been there for you during your tough times but thought better of it and didn't want to feel bad so he/she stayed away.

Cr-Abby