Recently on social media I asked that question. The answers were enlightening and surprising. I learned and my mind was broadened by the variety of answers.
Compassion is defined as “a feeling or deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering”. (dictionary.com)
Taking that definition, it can be easy to be compassionate without taking care of yourself. You may seek to stop suffering only to cause your own.
What does the compassion cost you?
Are you losing part of yourself in the process?
Do you have to put yourself back together after being compassionate?
You have the choice of putting up boundaries. You can stop when and where you choose. You can give the amount you want to give. You can offer the gift you select.
The boundaries are yours—unique to you and the other person.
Remember your boundaries to maintain you. Otherwise you may end with the same plight as the over giving, limbless tree in The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein without anything left to give.
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