Sharing compassion becomes trickier when we attempt to
alleviate suffering while not enabling bad behavior or becoming codependent. It takes skill to navigate an obstacle filled
path in ways that move beyond the surface to deeply eradicate suffering at the
root. It is possible through awareness
and courage.
While a compassionate action is often spontaneous, at times
we must formulate our response through reflection and introspection. We choose to be aware of the situation and
need our courage to act in ways incorporate the tough love of compassion. Recognizing that our actions may not have
immediate results, we realize that, over a period of time, the other will move
through the dark tunnel into the light of compassion.
At a recent talk, one of the audience members recounted a
story of a woman who was hired in an upper management position. Instead of confronting her about her
substance abuse issues, they practiced what they felt was compassion toward her
when her job performance suffering. Several
months into her employment, the woman, intoxicated while driving, struck a
cyclist. He asked me to comment on this
way of being compassionate.
The tough love of compassion requires that we don’t ignore
another person’s bad behavior. Instead, in
the most loving, gentle ways we alleviate suffering. Sometimes this means broaching difficult
situations that may trigger anger and fear in another. Compassion asks us to be a companion as the
other purges his/her demons. This
compassionate action requires a heart felt, honest, methodical approach.
Compassion isn’t easy, but it is necessary. We plunge deeply into the well of our being
to gather our compassion resources.
Buoyed by our compassion reserves our intent flows into the stream of
our action. We alleviate suffering in
ways that bring balance.
Always with Compassion, Vanessa
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