The definition of "compassion":

Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.

So about this whole "compassion" thing...I am learning this word. I am experiencing this word. I am sensitive to this word.

When people we love are struck by illness, horrible circumstance...victims...we feel compassion for them because we love them.

What I learned this week (Thank you Sue D.) is that compassion is for everyone. EVERYONE. Not just those who are directly affected by a tragedy. Compassion should be felt on a more human level then that. I now feel great compassion for anyone on this Earth who is diagnosed with cancer. It does not matter what your social status is. Or how much money you earn. Or who you know. Am I now an "expert" on cancer and treatment? NO. Have I been there? Did I experience something that 1 in 9 women should NEVER have to experience? YES. Do I want to help others - let them know that it's ok to feel whatever emotions they are feeling and to make sure they know that there is light at the other end of the tunnel? You're damned right I do.

You do not even have to like someone to feel compassion. You don't even have to know them....to feel compassion.

We all have our own ways of dealing with stress, tragedy, trials and tribulations. Just as we all have our own ways of celebrating success and positive, happy events.

Maybe if more people experienced the "emotion" of compassion....maybe the world wouldn't be so damned scary. Who knows. What I am saying is that experiences that took place this week in my life have changed me. For the better. I thank God for that. I thank God for the people in my life who have taught me so very much about myself. I thank God that during the toughest times in my life I have had and will continue to have people to lean on. People to cry with. People to laugh with. People to remind me where I've been and people to let me forget it as well.

I hope that tonight's post makes anyone reading this stop and think. If not - that's ok too. Maybe some day something will cross your mind and you'll say "Ohhh that's what Doris meant in her blog."

Thanks for checking in. And please -- if you know someone who has been diagnosed who would like to speak with a survivor I am here to help in any way I can.

Good night.