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life
August 2009 
How do you respond to suffering?
Posted on Jun 26th, 2008
by 
shivermetimbers01
shivermetimbers01
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for June 25, 2008:
I'm one of those annoying people who hasn't actually had to endure much, if any, real suffering in her life. My response when I see someone else suffering is that of sympathy and repulsion at the same time: sympathy for the person, repulsion at the affliction.
I think it's actually easier to avoid the suffering of others for the most part. Why allow yourself to be constantly affected by it? It would drive you crazy. You can't help everyone. You can't save every life, no matter how much you want to.
That being said, I can be a very compassionate person. I just have to choose a focus and then act. If I don't dedicate myself a few reasonable endeavors, nothing will get done. I want to make a difference in the world, even if I can't save it.
I think it's actually easier to avoid the suffering of others for the most part. Why allow yourself to be constantly affected by it? It would drive you crazy. You can't help everyone. You can't save every life, no matter how much you want to.
That being said, I can be a very compassionate person. I just have to choose a focus and then act. If I don't dedicate myself a few reasonable endeavors, nothing will get done. I want to make a difference in the world, even if I can't save it.
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