Compassion is not a natural human gift, that being automatically given as a matter of course. We find ourselves drawn to acts of kindness given to those we agree deserve it. This is at odds with the most valued of acts of compassion, those acts of kindness extended to those we would rather hurt or put down for their nature does not agree with our own. Kindness is rare, as we are a judgmental lot. It is its rareness that makes it come to our attention, for despite ourselves, we all wish it extended to us unconditionally, and we know we are miserly.
In our work with ill infants and children, we are predisposed to give kindness more freely, and yet it is not unfettered here either. We must remind ourselves that compassion is a gift best given without condition, that as we must write a story to put this person, this family, in context we should work to make that story a positive one that allows us to give kindness without expectation. Compassion, kindness, is truly our most unique of human gifts and is greatest among them. Nothing but good can come of it, in the end, if not for the one who receives it, for us who give it.
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