I had to travel to attend the funeral service of a friend's dad. We have been good friends over the last few years so I certainly felt obligated to support her in any way I could, and the best way I could think of was with my presence on this occasion.
In the distant past I would go extraordinary lengths for more or less anyone I was familiar with regardless of the position of our relationship. It didn't matter whether they particularly liked me or not. I would put myself through the kinds of inconveniences that only close friends do.
I realized that such actions were naive with time though. It isn't particularly noble to go through fire for another person who wouldn't lift a finger in the same situation. Yes, we all crave acceptance and admiration, but one must exhibit great care in relationship with others.
It is quite different from giving, or making sacrifices for the love of humanity. What's important is realising that our capacity is limited and there's only so much we can do at various stages of our lives. Yes there are still people today I would 'move mountains' for, but that list has thinned down considerably over the years for good reason.