Development of Compassion

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.  These persons have appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern.  Beautiful people do not just happen."  Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Caregiving involves defeat, suffering, struggle, loss.  It is perhaps the "perfect storm" to develop compassion, appreciation, sensitivity, gentleness, loving concern and an understanding of life.  But, only if we walk through the depths of those struggles.  Of course, other things, like serious illness or professional defeat, can involve all these things too.  The fact is that not one of us humans will get through life without experiencing defeat, suffering, struggle and loss.  The one thing we have control over is how we handle those situations.  Give yourselves a pat on the back --- you are one of the beautiful people.