"Question: How can we （Buddhists） prevent burnout when we are working for others' welfare?
Answer: One way is to keep checking our motivation， continually renewing our compassionate intention. Another is to assess what we're capable of doing and to make realistic commitments. Sometimes we may be so inspired by the Bodhisattva ideal that we agree to participate in every project that comes in our way， even though we may lack the time or ability to complete （a number of these projects）. Then we may push ourselves to the point of exhaustion to fulfill our commitments， or we may begin to resent those who are counting on our help. It's wise to consider before we commit， and to accept only those responsibilities that we can carry out. In addition， we must remember that difficulties and dissatisfaction are the nature of cyclic existence （Samsara）. Preventing nuclear waste， dismantling apartheid， stopping the destruction of rain forests and helping the homeless are noble projects. However， even if a11 these goals were achieved， it wouldn't solve all the world's ills. The chief source of suffering lies in the mind: as long as ignorance， greed and anger are present in people's minds， there will be no lasting peace on the earth. Thus， expecting our social welfare work to go smoothly， becoming attached to the results of our efforts， or thinking， 'if only this would happen， the problem would be solved' leads us to become discouraged. We need to remember that in cyclic existence， there are better and worse states， but all are temporary and none bring ultimate freedom. If we are realistic， we can work in the world without expecting to bring about paradise on earth. And we can also follow our spiritual practice （i.e. keep the precepts and develop Samadhi and Wisdom） knowing that it will lead to ultimate cessation of problems."