Offering compassion to everyone impartially, regardless of our personal feelings.

It is easy to feel compassion for those who are less fortunate or in need of our help. However, true growth comes when we extend that same compassion to those we dislike or even consider our enemies. This is the real challenge—learning how to empathize with people we struggle to connect with. It is through these experiences that we grow the most and discover life’s most valuable lessons.

While it may feel natural to show kindness to strangers or loved ones, have you ever given someone you dislike the benefit of the doubt? Often, we rush to judge or blame those we hold resentment toward, letting our emotions take over before we even try to understand their perspective. But why do we react this way?

Our enemies are, in fact, some of our greatest teachers. They challenge us to be more patient, understanding, and forgiving. The next time you’re tempted to criticize or accuse someone you dislike, pause and ask yourself: Am I being fair? Am I approaching this situation with enough compassion? Try to see things from their point of view before reacting—you may find your answer there.

To elevate ourselves spiritually and emotionally, we must remain impartial in all we do, including in how we choose to help others. Compassion is not selective; we don’t get to choose who deserves our kindness. All human beings deserve to be treated equally, regardless of how we feel about them. Our emotions are ours to manage, but they shouldn’t dictate how we behave—as individuals, as a community, or as a society.

So the next time you hesitate to help someone due to personal feelings, take a deep breath and ask yourself: Would I want others to treat me, or someone I care about the same way? The answer will likely be no. Don’t be the person who withholds kindness—be the one who chooses compassion, no matter the circumstance.