Whenever the question is asked of one’s inherent kindness or compassion, people often cite how they treat their loved ones as a reference point for exactly how nice they are as a person. They’ll go on at length about their many actions and sacrifices for the people they care about. But ultimately, what is the relevance? Of course you’ll be kind and loving towards people with whom you already have established a relationship. If you love someone, it goes without saying that you will go out of your way for the individual and will make sacrifices for them. Isn’t it more relevant to look at how one behaves towards people they don’t like and towards people whom they have no vested interest in impressing? If you pick and choose situations in which you will be kind, in which you will be polite, in which you will be compassionate, then doesn’t that mean that you aren’t really that way at all? A truly compassionate person does not wait for a situation to arise that strikes a nerve within them and causes them to take action - they are compassionate and seeing any person in need will strike that chord. You aren’t a patient person if you’re only patient with a certain type of person or only if you deem it necessary. You can’t consider yourself anything if you’re only that way in particular instances or for a small portion of time. Seems simple, right?