I'm not generally a sensitive person, but I tend to be more

"I'm not generally a sensitive person, but I tend to be more sensitive toward others and what they're going through. I don't know if that's the healthiest thing, but it's the truth." These words spoken by Rihanna offer a glimpse into the deep empathy and compassion that she feels toward the struggles of others. Rihanna, in her vulnerability, reflects an essential human truth: while she may not easily show sensitivity toward herself, her heart is attuned to the pain and challenges of those around her. This self-awareness speaks to the timeless struggle between self-care and compassion for others, a balance that has been the subject of philosophical and spiritual thought for millennia.

In the ancient world, the philosophers often spoke of the need for balance between the care for one’s own well-being and the care for others. Aristotle, in his Nicomachean Ethics, described the pursuit of virtue as the middle ground between extremes. To live a virtuous life is to avoid becoming self-absorbed or disconnected from others, but to also avoid losing oneself entirely in the suffering of others. This balance is essential, for while the compassion Rihanna speaks of is noble and powerful, without boundaries and self-care, it can lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout. Like the ancient Stoics, who emphasized the importance of self-discipline and personal resilience, we are reminded that caring for others requires the strength to maintain one’s own health and well-being.

Consider the story of Mother Teresa, who devoted her life to caring for the poor and the sick in the streets of Calcutta. Her empathy for the suffering of others was boundless, and she is revered for her deep compassion. Yet, even Mother Teresa faced the difficult question of how to maintain her own strength while absorbing the overwhelming pain of others. Her work often took an emotional toll, and she struggled with moments of doubt and exhaustion. She understood, as Rihanna does, that compassion for others is a powerful force, but it must be tempered with a recognition of one’s limits. Even the most compassionate individuals must find a way to nourish their own spirits, lest their own hearts become depleted in the service of others.

The ancient Buddha also spoke of compassion, and his teachings often centered on the balance between compassion for others and the necessity of personal peace. He taught that true compassion does not arise from self-sacrifice to the point of suffering but from a deep understanding and acceptance of the interconnectedness of all beings. To offer true help to others, one must first cultivate peace within oneself. Buddha’s teachings invite us to remember that compassion for others does not have to come at the cost of our own emotional health—it can only be truly effective when it arises from a place of balance and inner strength.

Rihanna’s honesty in recognizing that her sensitivity toward others may not always be healthy reveals a deep self-awareness that is essential for growth. Empathy, while a beautiful and powerful trait, can sometimes lead to emotional vulnerability. The sensitivity she speaks of can sometimes cloud our own well-being, as we feel the pain of others too deeply, making it hard to find peace. Rihanna’s awareness that this may not always be the healthiest approach reveals a critical lesson: to care for others, we must also care for ourselves. If we do not preserve our own energy, we may not be able to offer meaningful help to those who need us.

The lesson, then, is one of balance. Like Rihanna, we must recognize our capacity for compassion but also acknowledge our need for self-care. We are not indestructible—our hearts can only carry so much. We must be able to step back, to breathe, and to focus on our own well-being if we are to truly be of service to others. To live a virtuous life is to strike the balance between feeling deeply for the struggles of others and knowing when to protect and restore our own spirit. This requires self-awareness, the courage to set boundaries, and the wisdom to recognize when our empathy has moved from a place of strength to one of potential exhaustion.

So, as we move forward in our own lives, let us remember Rihanna’s insight and the teachings of the ancients. Compassion is a beautiful and noble force, but it must be practiced with awareness and boundaries. We must not lose ourselves in the suffering of others but remain strong and centered, nurturing our own hearts as we give to others. Let us honor the balance between caring for others and preserving our own emotional well-being, knowing that only by nourishing ourselves can we truly help those around us. Compassion and self-care are not opposites—they are two forces that, when in harmony, empower us to create a world full of empathy, kindness, and strength.