What is Compassion?

Compassion is a feeling that motivates people to relieve the pains of others and themselves. It’s sensitivity to the suffering of others.

Compassion to me, is showing love and kindness toward others, giving them a piece of your heart, and asking for nothing back in return. I am blessed to work with clients and their families everyday, and to spread compassion to people who might not receive it otherwise, or often.

Example of Compassion

I recently had the opportunity to visit a client who was in a rehabilitation center in Boca Raton, Florida who was recovering from a broken hip. I went to visit her to check to see how she was feeling, and I also wanted to make sure that she knew that I was thinking of her.

When I walked in the room, her eyes lit up and she said, “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you because I care about you, and I want to see how you are feeling.” I responded.

We talked for over an hour about her thoughts on her therapy, the facility’s food, and her plans for once she returned home. As I was leaving, she gave me a big hug and said, “I am so glad you came to see me!”

It made me feel really good that I could show her love and kindness. Stopping by to visit was such a small act from me, but it made a big impact with her.

At Preferred Care at Home, we believe that compassion makes all the difference. There are many ways to show compassion and they can be as simple as calling to check on someone who we know is sick, or by visiting him or her if they are in the hospital. Showing compassion can also be as easy as taking the time to really listen to others. We get so caught up in trying to “fix” everything, when often times, people just want someone to listen to them, know that they are heard, and that their feelings are validated.

I challenge everyone to be the definition of compassion and to show love and kindness toward everyone you meet.