COMPASSION 101

Compassion is often lumped together in definition with kindness and empathy. In truth, kindness starts with empathy and ends in compassion when fully expressed.

Empathy is defined as “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another…” (Mirriam-Webster). When we empathize with others, we feel sadness, joy, fear, or other emotions along with them. This may be because we’ve had a similar experience in the past or imagine what it would feel like to be in their shoes.

Empathy is not a required forerunner to kindness, but kindness is a natural expression of empathy. At its simplest, kindness is a concentrated effort to make others feel good. Kindness goes beyond feeling the emotions of others and involves extending courtesy. It can include overlooking out-of-the-ordinary behaviors in someone who may be going through a hard time or going out of your way to be friendly to someone new.

Kindness can be extended regardless of whether it is welcomed or reciprocated and can be applied to close friends, complete strangers, and even ourselves. However, there is a step beyond kindness. It’s known as compassion.

Empathy Feels, Kindness Extends, but Compassion Acts.

Compassion originates from the Latin compati, meaning “to suffer with.” However, the definition of compassion goes beyond sharing in suffering to the desire to elevate suffering through action. We show compassion by moving beyond feeling what others feel and attempting to change their circumstances.

Compassion means taking steps to lessen or alleviate the suffering that caused the feelings of empathy. Though a largely unselfish act, compassion also seeks to replace the feelings of sadness, fear, etc., with more comforting feelings. By helping others, we also alleviate our own suffering felt through empathy.

If someone has lost their home to a fire, we may feel sad for them because we can imagine what that would be like if it were to happen to us. We may even make an effort to speak to them when we see them out somewhere and let them know we are thinking of them. However, showing compassion means going a step further and organizing a clothing drive or offering to help them sort through the debris.

Kindness is the arms of empathy, and compassion is the feet of kindness. Empathy feels, kindness extends, and compassion acts.

Benefits of Compassion

The benefits of compassion extend beyond the obvious and includes:

• A change in perspective. When we identify and respond to the suffering of others, our perspective changes about our current circumstances and the impact we can make in the lives of others.
• Health benefits. Extending compassion on a regular basis can help regulate blood pressure, reduce stress, and boost immunity.
• Reduced suffering. Compassion not only reduces the suffering of the people who receive it, but it also reduces the potential for depression and leads to greater emotional wellness in the giver.
• Connectivity. Through compassion, a sense of connectivity with others is created and a greater sense of community is achieved.
• Fostered awareness and actions in other. Compassion is contagious. One act of compassion can lead to a chain of actions that initiates real change in the life of an individual, social group, or community.

Ways to Express Compassion

Compassion can be expressed on a large scale or by the tiniest of actions. Compassion leads with the heart, which serves as the guiding force for its expression. There are steps you can take to open yourself to more opportunities for providing compassion.

1. Listen intently. Oftentimes, we listen with intention to respond, rather than hear. Listening with intention allows us to pick up on clues of needs that might not be overtly expressed.
2. Look within. Compassion is not just for others. Practicing self-compassion is just as important, if not even more so. Take the actions needed to show yourself kindness.
3. Seek out opportunities. Every community has a need for volunteers for a variety of projects designed to show compassion to others. See what needs align with your passions and offer a helping hand.
4. Practice. If you aren’t certain where to start, take small steps. The reward comes from knowing you made a difference in someone’s day when you let a woman with a cart full of groceries and a crying baby go before you in line. Compassion can also be addictive. As it does, opportunities to do so will become more apparent and more natural.
5. Support others. When you come across other individuals or organizations making a difference, support their efforts, whether physically, financially, or by sharing their mission.

At Joshua’s Voice, compassion is at the heart of everything we do. To join us in being a voice of compassion for individuals with invisible disabilities, volunteer, donate and share our mission.