Dear A,
It's not all about you. Oh, we know you know that, but seriously, your desire for moral ascendancy through good deeds carries as much ego as the douchebag self-starter you both loathe and love. Hell, that's why you loathe and love them.

Stop trying to achieve moral ascendancy through that charitable organization. Stop trying to achieve moral ascendancy through healthy choices. Stop trying to achieve moral ascendancy through the car you drive, or your yoga, or your desire to get free-range, organic chicken.

You're not making the planet better, you're just inviting contempt. Yes, contempt; every time you declared these things through an, "I statement," you've imparted more ego than genuine goodness, universal goodness, wants or needs.

Just do stuff, recognize the privilege of being able to do it, and don't expect a handjob from the NPR-good-times police at the end of your self-indulgent life. . .

Goodness doesn't need you, it just needs goodness.

Sincerely,
Someone who's pretty serious about cutting some slack.

So, I have two professions: my day job, as a Lab Administrator, and my night job, as a musician/music director.

As a Lab Administrator, I'm shooting to finish my classes for my CCNA.
As a Musician, I'm shooting to finish my next album, then lead the vocal and Music Direction for Pirates of Penzance next year for The Lyric Theatre of San Jose.

Phew! Hands are full. . .