Another source of individuals with a strong drive to be of service is the various self-help and 12 Step programs. Many of these people have literally stepped back away from Death's Door and feel a strong debt to those that assisted them. Such individuals may literally validate their newly found healthy life styles by helping others to do the same. In the 12 Step programs there is a saying, "You can only keep it by giving it away." This would seem to explain some of the reason for the drive to be of service. At the basis of much self-destructive behavior is a core of deep seated shame. Serving others is a valid way of combating the distorted self images such shame can generate while the individual is generating newer and healthier self images.
My uncle, a physician, used to say that there was no one dumber than a newly certified graduate, that such a person was "dumber than a sack full of hammers". In my own experience, that judgement is rather harsh. It would seem that it may require time for some facets of common sense in dealing with others to filter through and alter the perceptions of a newly expressed professional. Those new perceptions are necessary in order for the individual to have a place to stand and function with detachment.
On the other side of the coin is those individuals who have experienced a renaissance of perceptions and must share what they have gained in order to solidify it and give it worth to them. Their challenge is somewhat different. As what they have to share comes from their own experiences, heavily charged with painful emotions, there can be a considerable challenge in achieving a working level of detachment.
So why is detachment so necessary? Without it one's perceptions of the problems and needs of another
