Recently I noted that a friend went to great lengths to serve a family member--this friend clearly valued her family member and reached high and wide to act with respect and care for this person she loves. Our care for others generally deepens and grows with the level of love and care we have for people--the more we love someone, the more we'll do with and for them.
This works in the opposite way too. For people that are distant from us and that we don't respect or care about as much, we will likely do less. We know who the people are that truly care about us and who will go to great lengths to be our friends and supporters, and we know who puts us at a distant second when it comes to care and concern.
The truth is that we can't take care of everyone--that's impossible, but we can greatly care for some and these circles of good care really empower who we are and what life is like.
I'll be thinking about this over the holidays, a time when we try to care well in speical ways for those close to us and those in need.
Thanksgiving marks the start of this warm season of love and care. Onward.