"The Real Definition of Compassion"

Compassion is big and powerful and moves far beyond the traditional definition of compassion.

This is Merriam-Webster's compassion definition: "Sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it."

Before I really understood it, the word 'compassion' used to conjure up images of beggars and sick and dying people in dire need of help. But unless you're dealing with dying people or beggars on a daily basis, it's easy to overlook the importance of compassion.

I'm a physical therapist, I've only lived in wealthy countries throughout Western Europe and now in the U.S., and I will therefore speak from my Western point of view.

First, we're going to add the following to Merriam-Webster's definition:

"Sympathetic consciousness of your own distress together with a desire to alleviate it."

Let us now bring it together:

"1: Sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. 2: Sympathetic consciousness of your own distress together with a desire to alleviate it."

That is the definition. But what is its everyday practical meaning?

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