Developing compassion doesn't mean assuming the role of doormat, savior, or martyr. In fact, just the opposite. True compassion is predicated on our ability to stand up for ourselves when the situation calls for it, to lovingly communicate our boundaries, and to give from a place of recognizing that the receiver is already capable, sufficient and whole.
As we become more tender and open through practice, there is an equal need to recognize our own thresholds and to honor them by setting clear boundaries of what we can and cannot allow. If someone is wielding a proverbial knife, saying no and gently disarming them before they can cause harm is a compassionate act towards all parties involved.
In the same way that offering someone the last sip of your Slurpee isn’t necessarily generous (it’s backwash), reinforcing our open heart with the support of a strong spine allows us to practice compassion from a place of genuine empathy without the aftertaste of resentment, superiority, or expectation.
--- via MNDFL "Wind Down Wednesday"