I Need Your Help – Answer This Question for Me: Can You Ever Have Too Much Compassion, Empathy, or Forgiveness?

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“It is much easier to show compassion to animals. They are never wicked.” ~Haile Selassie

I am never going to claim I have all the answers.  This is a question that I struggle with, so I want to open it up to you.  Please answer this question for me, and follow up with an explanation behind the reason you chose your answer.  I want to make this an interactive post, and I want you to think of it as your way of helping me come to a decision on this question.

Here’s why I am asking this question of you…On the surface, the answer appears to be an easy “yes”…A million times…However, have you ever answered a question because you knew it was the answer you should answer, knowing that perhaps you actually feel differently?  A couple of months ago, I wrote a post, which was well-intentioned, and while I got lots of positive feedback, I also got some push back.  Now, push back is great — no lie — because it really opens me to other perspectives.  Differences can lead to opportunities, for sure.

I have a few things for you to chew on before you spit out an answer.  Ask yourself this question…”Can I ever have too much compassion, empathy, or forgiveness…If someone were bullying me, and treating me horribly?”  Here’s another…”Can I ever have too much compassion, empathy, or forgiveness…If someone were breaking into my house and about to seriously and intentionally threaten the safety and lives of my family members?”

These are tough questions — questions I want you to think about.  On the surface, without adding the second part of the questions I did above, the answer appears easy.  However, if you ask someone who is or was bullied or the victim of a horrible offense, or put yourself in their shoes, the answer may not be so easy.

When providing your responses, I want you to please be respectful of differences of opinion.  Everyone has the right to their own opinion, and just because an opinion differs from yours doesn’t mean that the differing opinion is wrong.  I want a respectful conversation that encourages the sharing of perspectives and ideas.  The last thing I want is an escalation into an argument.  Let’s keep it respectful and clean. 🙂

What do you think?  Can you ever have too much compassion, empathy, or forgiveness?  Let me know your thoughts, please!  I want to know!  Please use the Facebook comments area below if possible so we can encourage a wider dialogue.  You should also encourage others you know to weigh in!  Thanks for your help!  I appreciate it!

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