Ultimately we are selfish creatures who do tend to look out for ourselves, it has something to do with the survival instinct.  We are also capable of such love that we look out for others in our lives such as partners, children, parents, friends......  But occassionally we come into contact with complete strangers and we are moved.  For some unexplained reason we feel the need to protect or help.  I think that this is a good thing and personally I feel we spent too much time considering our own needs before those of others.  It is a very difficult thing to do this, when someone rings you up and you have just finished a really shitty day, or you have been on your feet all day and want to just relax and someone wants to talk to you and maybe give you their problems.
I am not saying you need to be a doormate and you should take care of yourself as you are no good to anyone if you are so tired you make yourself ill.  But it is being there for people, giving of yourself that makes us special.  It is much harder to give your time and energy to a person than to make a donation or give a gift.  I suppose the point I am trying to make is that when you do give of yourself and the recepient takes that for granted, then do you continue giving?
There are too many selfish people out there, who consider only their needs.  We need to get some respect back and that means showing respect too.  I think that this is a two way street and that by setting an example you will find that people will respond.  Most people respond to a smile, there are a few moody and miserable buggers out there who will just give you a grumpy look but I say persevere and keep smiling at that individual.  You know eventually, you will wear them down and they will smile back at you.
We spent too much time worrying about the inconsequential things and not enough about the bigger picture, when you smile and look at the brighter side of things your mood lifts and your world becomes a nicer place.  So do yourself a favour today and try and brighten up not just your world but someone elses too.
Keep the faith