Detachment Is an Expression of Love

Helping others can be an act of caring and even virtue. There can be times, however, when helping others is actually harmful.

Everyone needs to learn from their own mistakes in order to grow. When we help others in order to spare them from a growth experience, we begin fostering an environment that stunts their growth and maturity.

This same dynamic can also occur when we constantly offer short term help to a friend or family member when what they really need is to embark on a long term solution (rehab or therapy, for example.)

It is possible to love someone and not offer them help. Detachment means allowing yourself and the other person to live with the dignity of their own choices.