It’s not helpful to scold ourselves or blame ourselves for what we perceive as lack of success in actually benefiting others because giving into disappointment about that can cause us to lose our resolve to do what we can.
As long as we retain the intention to benefit others, in as much as and in any way we can, the opportunities to do so will continue to arise, and we need never worry about how much or how little we’re benefiting others because what determines whether or not we are effectively benefiting others is whether we have the intention to do so. If you have the real intention to help others, then one way or another, you will.
[From teaching on Essence of Wisdom: Stages of the Path, Part 4, by Lama Tashi Topgyal. Translated by Lama Yeshe Gyamtso.]