Real compassion doesn't care whether you look good or bad or whether it is being appreciated or not: It is fearless and unconditional
This is the way of being for those who have already left behind the burden of insecurity and neurotic behavior to some degree. They act from the position of having released artifice and having a deeper understanding of themselves. And this being firmly rooted in themselves sets them in the center of their power and enables them to interact with others and the world in an honest, confident way.
I think what really counts is whether your compassion is genuine or just an act or imitation of compassion
Because it is extremely easy to get sidetracked into different forms of seeming compassion which are neither healthy nor beneficial. And there is not such a great benefit in helping somebody because you feel pressured by a person or because this is what society expects from you. Neurotic compassion will not release you, neither will it bring joy.
You will NOT feel the satisfaction of real, positive energy flowing between you and the recipient, the closeness and warmth between each other.
What the other receives is your energy. He or she can feel whether you are genuine or not.
If you really interact from your genuine warm feeling, your joy, the joy will infect the other person and it will reflect back on you: How wonderful!
If you wish to live your real self-interest, I think this is it. If you want real fun, I'm sure:
THIS IS THE WAY TO GO!
Sources: picture of lions