What does it mean to be “Compassionate and Kind?”
Etymologically, compassion means ‘to suffer together’. From this sharing in suffering comes the motivation to help relieve the suffering of others.
By taking action in some way, for example, wishing it were different for someone, sitting with someone who has just received bad news or providing a meal to someone in need, we are less likely to become overwhelmed by seeing the distress of others.
As we enhance our ability to really see and feel what is around us, our ability to experience compassion grows. We can reach out, feel care, be kind and help others, not just our loved ones or friends but other living beings in our community and in the world.
