As a limited, flawed human being, I occasionally feel drained of energy and contemplate my own shortcomings with disappointment but never sense an end to my capacity for compassion. Sometimes, being compassionate means that you have to help others through teaching, not just open ended giving. Too many people think that to have compassion, we must sacrifice everything without considering consequence. They confuse empathy, duty, and charity, when in fact compassion has to do exclusively with considering the pain of others. Empathy is the ability to see things from the emotional side of someone else. Duty is when you feel it is your responsibility to do something, as in some feel a duty to be morally supportive of others. Charity is when you give to someone who is less fortunate.

Altruism, which is when you are willing to give up your own welfare for the welfare of others, is a different but related term. To be altruistic, you must be selfless and not consider that your selflessness is a duty you must do to remain loyal to god, morality, or to gain some sort of reward like kudos. Very few can accomplish this without discipline and a continued dedication. A person can be compassionate without being altruistic, but that is a pure form of compassion.

It is beautiful that you are talking about compassion in your relationships with others. It is quite normal to feel drained or disappointed at certain times or that you can't offer any more of yourself. This is not a loss of compassion unless you feel negativity or animosity toward others. That is the time to rejuvenate, breathe, meditate on the situation, and try to change the way you are thinking. Compassion should never feel like a chore or duty. It should eventually be as normal as breathing in and out.

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