Greetings everyone!I’m thinking about compassion in our work these days. Nursing theorist Jean Watson describes compassion as the “capacity to bear witness to, suffer with, and hold dear within our heart the sorrow and beauties of the world” Practicing compassion requires us to allow for deep introspection in order to be open to feeling the deep connection with others.
Pema Chödrön reminds us that in order to practice compassion we must have compassion for ourselves.
In the words of Pema Chödrön:
Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone and don’t forget to show yourself a little compassion.
Namaste.
Margaret Costello RN, PhD
Assistant Professor
Simmons University
Boston, Ma 02115
margaret.costello@simmons.edu
617 521-2434