Compassion is…
Compassion in life is a beautiful thing. But exactly what is compassion? I’ve always thought of compassion as love in action. After writing the poem COMPASSION, I searched Google to find a definition. The synonyms fit perfectly into my preconceived notion for the poem because they not only included love and mercy, each synonym requires action (stirring) on our part to metamorphose the idea of compassion into the realty of compassion.
May compassion reign in our hearts and hands.
~ Bette A. Stevens
Google Search:
noun: compassion; plural noun: compassions
sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
“the victims should be treated with compassion”
| synonyms: | pity, sympathy, empathy, fellow feeling, care, concern, solicitude, sensitivity, warmth, love, tenderness, mercy, leniency, tolerance, kindness, humanity, charity
“have you no compassion for a fellow human being?” |
||
| antonyms: | indifference, cruelty | ||
Origin Middle English: via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin compassio(n-), from compati ‘suffer with.’
Compassion in life is a beautiful thing…
Compassion by Bette A. Stevens
Compassion in life is a beautiful thing
Sharing its beauty gives others their wings
Stirring love into each little thing that we do
Is sure to help their dreams and our dreams come true
[Explore Bette’s Blog]
Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author 
Comments on: "COMPASSION a poem by Bette A. Stevens" (75)
Yes, compassion is definitely a beautiful thing! Lovely poem with a great message, Bette. Blessings to you! xo
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Hugs and blessings right back to you, Gayl! ❤
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That is beautiful! Thanks for sharing at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com! Always a pleasure to have you!
Tina
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Thanks so much, Tina. Appreciate your feedback and awesome support. ❤ Have a fantastic week, my friend! xo
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Beautiful, Bette. I am totally with you on how difficult it is to come up with a definition for compassion – especially single word synonyms like many in the Google list, which I believe are actually misleading. (I do NOT believe that compassion and sympathy are true synonyms, for example – and certainly not pity!!)
To me, compassion has always seemed more like a recipe than an ingredient – action required to mix the ingredients, and time in the oven to transmute them into something warm and wonderful to be shared by all.
I think you’ve done a better job than Google with “love in action.” I inserted your graphic into my December 2017 Mental Health Awareness Calendar with a link to this post. I hope you have a WONDERFUL holiday season.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to transform a world!
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Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments and for sharing “Compassion” on yourhelpful and informative blog, Madelyn. To quote you, “It takes a village to transform a world” and living with compassion as a must-have ingredient in our lives, together, we can all make that happen. ❤ Sending lots of love your way… xo
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Wonderfully encouraging comment, Bette. We CAN make it happen if and when “the village” decides together that it is simply NOT acceptable for things to continue the way they are going, steps up and sings out en chorale.
As Winston Churchill said, “An appeaser is one who feeds the crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.”
xx,
mgh
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[…] Found HERE […]
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[…] Kindness counts… ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author http://www.4writersandreaders.com […]
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[…] So very happy! ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author http://www.4writersandreaders.com […]
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Thanks for sharing this poem at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week! Do your novels contain any of your poems?
Tina
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May your wish fly directly from your words to God’s ears. Thank you for posting at the Senior Salon Bette.
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Thank you, Bernadette! xo
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Reblogged this on The happy Quitter! and commented:
I wrote about compassion myself yesterday, wished I could have put it into words like Bette in her poem.
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Thanks so much for getting the word out! Sending lots of love your way… 🙂 ❤
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Thank you Brigid! I’m following your blog and on Twitter & FB as well. It’s great to be connected. So glad you stopped by for a chat, my friend. Have a beautiful day! 🙂
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Bette I love your blog and see we share a lot in common. I taught organic horticulture in schools until last spring. I look forward to following you.
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Ditto! xo
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Not enough compassion in this world, Bette.
Thanks for following my blog, which is much appreciated.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’m with you, Pete! Thanks for following my blog and for stopping by for a visit, my friend. Have a beautiful week!
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This is beautiful, Bette. I love the image of stirring in love ~ like an ingredient in a magnificent masterpiece… ♥
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Hi, Tina. Thanks so much for your lovely comment… I love art–we’ll keep adding and stirring in lots of that beautiful color called compassion! HUGS. 🙂 ❤
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Lovely Bette..if only there was more of it.. hugs xx
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Thanks for sharing the love, Sally! 🙂 ❤
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I love your poems! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week! Always a pleasure to have you!
Tina
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Thanks so much, Tina! It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to share on your linkups and to find great articles to read and share. Blessings & love! 🙂 ❤
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Beautiful poem and thoughts, Bette! ♥
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Thank you, Lauren. Have a beautiful day, my friend! 🙂 ❤
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You said it Bette – Is sure to help their dreams and our dreams come true. Be compassionate!! Beautiful poem😍
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May love and blessings abound for us all! Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments and visits, Sumith. 🙂 ❤
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What a perfect poem for these days, when compassion seems to have evaporated. A gentle and lovely reminder of what we all need in out lives, Bette.
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HI, Noelle. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your gracious comments. May compassion reign! HUGS… ❤
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Reblogged this on TheKingsKidChronicles and commented:
A short poem that clearly states how we should all treat each other. We shouldn’t have to agree on everything in order to have compassion for others. Jesus had compassion even on those that hated Him. Reblogged from https://4writersandreaders.com
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Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment and for the reblog, Aleta. Have a beautiful day! 🙂
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You’re welcome, Bette. I remember a song by Dionne Warwick back in the 60’s: “What The World Needs Now is Love.” I have always liked that song. I would add that it needs compassion and understanding. Scripture tells us to “speak the truth in love,” not in judgment or condemnation, but rather in a spirit of helpfulness. That’s what you do here. Keep writing.
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Lovely and never out of date. 🙂
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Thanks, Joe. Wishing you and yours a year filled with blessings and love! 🙂 ❤
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Beautiful poem, Bette. ♥️ Compassion should never involve the ego of the giver, only cone truly from the heart without strings, expectations. As you say, it can be liberating: ‘Sharing its beauty gives others their wings’.
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Thank you for your thoughtful words, Annika. Hugs & love… 🙂 ❤
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Somehow I lost my post. This is one of the best poems you have written, saying so much in few words. Thanks for lighting up my day. Reblogged on mallie1025
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Dear Micki,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful note, for your unwavering support and encouragement!
❤ HUGS ❤ ,
Bette
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Reblogged this on mallie1025 and commented:
This is one of your best poems. It says so much in so few words, lovely words. Thank you for sharing it.
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You rock! ❤
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A beautiful poem and photo, Bette. ❤
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Thank you, Carol! ❤ HUGS ❤
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Lovely poem, Bette. Thank you.
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So glad you stopped by, John. Have a beautiful day! 🙂
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You as well
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Reblogged this on Mary Clark, Writer.
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Thanks so much for your support, Mary! ❤
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Lovely, Bette! ❤️
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Thank you, Janice. HUGS! ❤
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This is beautifully expressed, Bette, and illustrated. Thank you.
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Thank you, Norah! ❤
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What lovely sentiments. xxx
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Thank you, Michelle. Have a beautiful week! ❤
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Thanks, and you too, Bette
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Beautiful Bette!!!
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Hugs. Natalie! ❤
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👍❤️😘🌹💞
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Beautiful! I have reblogged this at http://www.kareningalls.blogspot.com.
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Ever thanks, Karen! ❤
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You made my day!
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And you made mine, Barbara! 🙂 ❤
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Beautiful poem, Bette. I like the old root definition “suffer with.” There’s an element of heart and a feeling of walking beside someone when committing an act of compassion. ❤
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Thank you, Diana. ❤
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Reblogged this on When Angels Fly and commented:
Compassion is a nutshell.
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Thanks so much for sharing ‘the love’! xo
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Lovely thoughts! I agree with you Bette…Compassion comes candidly from a loving heart…it needs nurturing just like love. Keep inspiring dear friend. 🙂
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Thank you for your encouraging words, Blessings & love… 🙂 ❤
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The pleasure is mine!
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Captures the mood, sublime! ❤
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Hugs! 🙂 ❤
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Lovely sentiments and a lovely poem, Bette. Thank you for the beautiful thoughts.
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Thank you, Mae! 🙂 ❤
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