Conscientious Compassion

From the Anna K Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the Meditation Cards, Sword of Justice:

It has been well said that we do not see things as they are, but as we are ourselves. Every man looks through the eyes of his prejudices, of his preconceived notions. ~Samuel Silas Curry

          It would be easy to judge this woman as the 'bad guy,' having spurned her admirer's affections. But a close look at the haggard expression on her face implies that she takes no joy in walking away. We may see people at their best and their worst moments, but what we don't see is what goes on behind the closed doors of their minds and hearts. The quote for the Meditation Card comes from Bhikkhu Bodhi:

When compassion and justice are unified, we arrive at what I call conscientious compassion. This is compassion, not merely as a beautiful inward feeling of empathy with those suffering, but a compassion that gives birth to a fierce determination to uplift others...

Perhaps this woman has two ailing, elderly parents at home and it's all she can do to meet their needs. Instead of a lover, this woman might need a friend who could lend a hand. But her suitor will never know unless he looks past his own desires and asks about her needs.