Am I caring? Or care-taking?

Are you a caring person? Can you always see exactly what someone could be doing differently to create an easier and happier life? And do you consider that you're willing to do whatever it takes to help them get there? How often do you see the results you'd know are possible? Usually, sometimes or almost never? And how easy and joyful is the process for you? If you'd like to create change for you, ask “Am I caring? Or care-taking?” Care-taking is doing whatever the other person tells you to do because it makes them feel better, and includes listening to stories, hand-holding, and crying in sympathy. Caring is empowering someone to create change, whatever that looks like, and includes doing nothing and saying “no.” What empowers? Questions, choice, awareness and contributing only when asked and when you know change is possible. What if caring was not the good deeds auto-pilot system you thought it was? What if it was simply the willingness to be aware of and in allowance of other people's choices?