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 you're willing to do whatever it takes to help them get there?

How often do you see the results you know are possible? Usually, sometimes, or almost never? How easy and joyful is the process for you? 

If you are not seeing the results you'd hoped for, or the process is hard and you'd like to create change for you in the experience, 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. This can include listening to stories, hand-holding, and crying in sympathy. 

Caring is empowering a person to create change, whatever that looks like, and can include 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, an in allowance of other people's choices?