My professor was lecturing us on counseling theories last week when he paused and said, "There are some things you just can't teach people.You can't teach empathy, mercy or compassion and you sure as hell can't make someone give a damn about other people if they don't already."
I think this is one of the hardest things people have to deal with on a regular basis; dealing with people who frankly -- and bluntly -- don't give a crap.
Compassion, as defined, is the understanding or empathy for the suffering of others and helping them to come out from the suffering. In other words, not kicking someone when they're already down. Instead you hold their hand and help them up.
I seem to have unwavering compassion for people even when they don't deserve it. It's coupled with the fact that I overly practice forgiveness and try to see the best in people. It can be really painful sometimes because not everyone is kind and you expect out of others what you, yourself, will give. You expect people to do for you what you would do for them. Unfortunately, not everyone has that capacity, but the let downs only make the compassion you do experience that much greater. People who can't give compassion will never know the happiness and healing it can bring and I think that's sad.
I think choosing to live life with kindness gives you a better outlook on the world; makes things a little prettier. People say you should live life for yourself and really do what makes you happy, but you know what's even better? When you can live for yourself and others.
So can we really not teach compassion? Or is that just something compassionate people came up with to cut those who lack it some slack? Maybe being compassionate is a choice; a choice to be selfish or selfless.
I'm not sure of the answer but one thing I do know is that the world can make you cold if you let it, but it doesn't have to be like that. You can choose to focus on the people who make you cry or the people who make you want to live.
