The Starting Point…
In 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. told an audience in Montgomery, Alabama, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” I propose that the “doing for others” we need most for everyone in our homes, our community and our country at this time is compassion. What is compassion? I define compassion as the language of selfless kindness. Kindness in turn is the loving demonstration of compassion, a love that compels us to reach out with the desire to heal where there is need in both ourselves and in others.
The benefit of compassion…
Compassion reaches the hurt and the heart of the giver and the receiver. It is the bridge that connects us and alleviates our physical, emotional and spiritual isolation. It says,” I see you. I recognize you, and we are connected at heart.” I have seen and experienced where the giving of compassionate service is often inconvenient, goes unrecognized by the recipient. I also know in that same experience, there need not be harmony for compassion to be given. Compassionate kindness often calls for a higher level of self-awareness and growth, a reaching deeper in ourselves to find the strength and heart to heal ourselves and others. It emphatically means compassionate giving with the understanding of what is best for the recipients, not what makes us look the best. This in turn creates a space of safety and acceptance for them and elevates our personal experience of patience, love and kindness.
Compassion beyond boundaries…
We can’t wait for perfection! We can be kind and loving in the midst of our human imperfection. Our reaching out in our common humanity with boundaries and without labels is at the essence of our gift of compassion. Added then to patience, love, kindness, I believe we must include long suffering which allows us to push ourselves further – past any dissonance, ill feelings, prejudices and differences. Compassionate service is no longer just money for the infrequent few or the global poor thousands of miles away, but a daily service of necessity for everyone around us. The Dalai Lama said, “We need a little more compassion and if we cannot have it, then no politician or even magician can save the planet.”
True compassion is in our grasp…
Frankly, it feels good to show generous compassion and kindness to ourselves and others, especially if we do it when we are feeling our worst, when it takes work and when there are no public accolades or evidence of gratitude. But, do show compassion where you know it will do good, when our wisdom and discernment say, “Here! This is the place where healing is needed.” Seek out those places. The results will consequently be positive on all sides. Be encouraged. The author, William Faulkner wrote, “I believe that man will not only endure, but prevail…because we have a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance.”
