Compassion is a genuine sympathy for hardship or suffering that other people are experiencing, and a desire to ease that pain. Compassion is innate; researchers have defined compassion to be an instinct, an automatic untaught response that guards for our survival. It is agreed upon that the root of compassion stems from kindness.
However, at times acts induced by compassion may actually be acts harming instead of helping.
Three examples of such acts are stated in the following:
The 1st example- A deed of feeding a stray cat. Such gesture may cause the cat to be dependent on another to survive, losing its capacity for self-survival.
Although acts of kindness are induced on the basis of our emotions, it can potentially limit our logical thought process. This can hinder the beneficial outcomes that the other can possess through setbacks/difficult circumstances.
The 2nd example- A deed of being tolerant when others project their anger on you. Such behavior may instill the learning of such coping mechanisms, ultimately hurting not only them, but you in the process as well. This highlights the significance of ‘Compassion Fatigue’, which occurs when one continuously perform caring acts, without giving importance to themselves, ultimately depleting their own emotional and physical resources.
There are many forms of showing compassion, however, not all methods will be deemed as considerate or even regarded as inconsiderate by the one receiving help.
Although we may all have compassion, we must recognize and beware that the practice of compassion is more than it meets the eye.
3 Things to consider before we offer help!
1. Take a moment to think before acting -Make sure that your current emotion does not rule over your logics, be rational and you will come up with the best solution to truly help the other.
2. Ask yourself- Is it a forced behavior? – Are you being considerate to yourself? Are you doing it just for the sake of pleasing others/because there are other external gains you will get?
3. Listen to the needs of “others”- The ones you are helping, instead of assuming that they need this or that.
Compassion has an irreplaceable value in everyone’s life. Compassion breeds Compassion. Let’s make sure that compassion does not become a threat towards us and others! Together, the true meaning of kindness in compassion will definitely shine through and become that saving grace in our society.
"Having the simplest compassion, create Legends"
