Compassion

A reflection by Lynette Poulton Kamakura

“The rewards of compassion are not things to wait for, They are hidden in compassion itself.”—Henri Nouwen

Compassion.
Understanding of another’s situation without taking ownership of their emotions.
Being present in support without taking center stage.
As difficult to describe as to achieve.
Too often, efforts at compassion turn into judgment
or problem solving.
We can fix it.
We can make it better.
We can explore,
dissect,
probe,
until the sore bursts open,
the infection purges
and healing begins.
But is that really compassion?
How do we learn to live into the moment?
To give our love,
our support,
our care,
soft as a warm blanket that surrounds on a cold day,
warm as a fire that destroys the chill.
How do we make compassion
not about Us,
but Them?
Can we remove ourselves from the equation,
lean into their space.
Walk as they walk,
feel as they feel.
Truly know Them.
In this purposeful deletion of self,
we come to experience a Greater Other.
By giving we receive,
and dig up the rewards that are so deeply buried in compassion.