Compassion Makes the Difference
Nursing home employees by their nature are often people who others consider to be compassionate people. They may have experienced suffering in their own lives and can relate it to others, especially to their residents and patients. This strong affinity with those who are in pain or suffering often draws people into a profession of helping others. Most derive great emotional satisfaction from it.
Compassion is word many of us hear and think is the same as empathy or sympathy. But it differs. A very simple definition of the word compassion is “the humane quality of understanding suffering and wanting to do something about it”. This is different from simply feeling the pain of others. Compassion is about taking action. It’s about doing something to make a difference.
Kindness to you is Kindness to me, and Kindness to me is Kindness to you. When people truly embrace compassion, wonderful things can happen. We live in uncertain times where the evening news can make us want to close our eyes because it’s too difficult to watch. But compassionate living can refocus our lenses to see the world through rosier-colored glasses. I am declaring 2020 as The Cedars’ Year of Compassion. Let’s make a concerted effort to understand one another and be willing to make a difference in the lives of those around us.
We can make the decision to come together right now and commit to being better people, with love for each other. Let’s make 2020 a year of compassion and civility, every single day. And while offering kindness to residents, patients, families and fellow employees is essential, I also want you to show compassion to yourself. Self-compassion, a key to well-being, is so vital for all those who care for others.
#CompassionAtTheCedarsRI
Over the next year, I will continue to talk about compassion and will offer suggestions for change through a monthly blog, displays, and education. I am eager to hear suggestions from you as to how we can make a truly compassionate culture for all of us at Cedar Crest and Cedar Home Health.
The following is a blog from an author I found online. I hope you will take the time to read it this very moving message about how the smallest gestures can have the biggest impact. Click for BLOG