In the early 1600s, when William Shakespeare wrote King Lear, he included a thought-provoking comment that is at the very core of the ROI-NJ Nov. 3, 2025 event entitled, “The Capacity to Care: Putting Yourself First Without Guilt.”
He famously wrote these two essential lines:
“Who alone suffers, suffers most in the mind
Leaving free things and happy shows behind.”
The gist of the observation is that when we bear our sorrow in isolation, we feel it all the more profoundly, but when we share our grief, it lessens the burden. That is exactly the message that Jing Wang will share as a panelist at this unique program.
When considering the importance of self-care, Jing will offer insights from her personal experience in professional and family settings, as well as in all interactions and relationships. Her point of view, shaped over 400 years after Shakespeare lived, supports the premise that women are most often called upon to serve as care givers for their parents, their partners and their children, as well as workplace colleagues.
In our fast-paced world, the pressure to meet the high expectations set by others grows increasingly unsustainable and difficult to bear. We have begun to think of this scenario as normal, yet it is impossible to live up to these standards and the physical and mental demands being made.
But, as Shakespeare warns, the circumstance is made worse because we tend to suffer alone.
Knowing your limitations can be useful when you are trying to keep all the balls in the air at once. But rarely do we raise our hands to ask for help. Traditionally, women in the workplace have not been comfortable admitting they need support – whether for fear of being a disappointment, concerns over looking incompetent, or reluctance to create doubts about their capabilities.
The reality is that when we recognize our own limitations and discuss our concerns honestly, we can inspire and empower each other. When we talk about the obstacles, we can learn from each other and we can help each other. We can understand the choices we make and why we make them.
Jing will address the challenges she has faced over the years as her responsibilities have grown and her career has progressed. Self-care has been the foundation upon which she has flourished, giving her the confidence to manage her evolving role—knowing that she cannot guide others if she is feeling depleted and worn out herself.
Words of wisdom to support self-care
Throughout the years, Jing has been able to embrace new situations, assume greater leadership positions, and support teammates, friends and family. But she has only been able to accomplish this because she has put herself first as needed – without guilt. Her key takeaways for us all include these ‘pearls’ of wisdom:
- Learn to say no
- Learn to ask for help
- Learn to understand your own limits
- Learn to set boundaries
- Learn to identify a peer /an ally
- Learn not to judge yourself harshly
- Learn not to take “No” as the end of your world
We invite you to join us on Nov. 3, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Galloping Hill Golf Course for a thoughtful discussion on implementing self-care without feeling self-ish with Jing Wang and her fellow panelists.
