Compassion

I picked up a magazine at work this week to do with care work. I'm not sure where it came from, but I guess it was sent through because it links to the work I do. There was an article written about compassion and how it appears to be missing in much of care work due to the enormous pressures care workers and nurses etc. are under with all the additional target driven work that has to be done to ensure funding. It was suggested that there needs to be a re focus on compassion, but to my dismay this was referred to as yet another target to hit.
How on earth can you measure compassion?
Its the most ridiculous suggestion I think I have ever seen. To try to measure compassion is to devalue this natural human trait and render it completely ineffective. It sickens me to imagine the grey suited auditors actually having to ask such a condescending question. Do we really need to assess whether we gave out of daily dose of compassion each day and somehow record that for evidence? Compassion is something we either do or don't have dependent upon the situation and pressures we are under. Not only is it something to be given, it also needs to be received on a regular basis. Compassion is something I feel very strongly for my 16yr old son right now because he is devastated by the break up with his long term girlfriend.

Compassion must be devoid of judgement and opinion. Like empathy, it must be a listening ear and attention without being intrusive. It must be absolutely aware of raw feelings. It must be gentle and kind and above all it is NOT something to measure.

Cricket??

I've never been a fan of cricket. I can remember my first chance to play at the wicket in junior school aged about 10. After ages getting bored fielding and a late chance to bat, went to hit the ball and smashed the wicket with a back swing. Out immediately with no chance at a hit. Cricket was not for me and I found it as boring as watching paint dry. I did, however watch the rare ashes win over the Aussies (was it last year???) and kinda enjoyed that.

Sunday evening, I popped out to buy a bottle of red wine at the off licence and decided to pop in the pub on the way. Whilst drinking a pint, I picked up thde "Mail on Sunday" newspaper. A few pages in I caught the article from Marcus Trescothicks' biography that took up a couple a pages. I had no idea this famous cricketer suffered from anxiety and depression. Reading the raw, honest account of his experience, I was blown away. It was almost as if he was writing my biography in terms of feelings and experience. Everything mentioned in this account regarding anxiety and depression describes and exact replica of my own situation in recent weeks ans more so from the past throughout my life. Despite being no fan of cricket whatsoever, I shall be seeking out this book to from a man I admire, simply for his honesty.