Quotes from Susan P. Halpern

Compassion occurs when we open our feelings to the feelings of another person, without judgement, pity, or a need to fix. It is an act of holding the fullness of feelings of another in our awareness and feeling suffering or joy with him or her; without becoming lost in the feeling.

Deep, quiet listening is a great gift.

When we help, we are in a potentially overpowering position.

The softest things in the world May be harder than the hardest. Soft water can go through the strongest wall. Knowing this, I know the value of calm. Knowing this, I know the value of patience. Knowing this, I know the value of persistence. —Lao Tzu

When people are suffering, they're not open to hearing horror stories about others with similar maladies. There is less capacity for compassion at such moments.