Compassion

Compassion: Have you ever prayed for someone you didn’t formally know? Someone you read about or heard about that was having a difficult time. Did you feel sorry for them? What did you hope you would achieve by this most unappreciated but very caring move? I can tell you that this unselfish act of wishing for people you don’t even know to have better things come into their lives is a very compassionate, supportive, and sympathetic thing to do.

Everyone faces challenges in their lives. From the most successful and opulent amongst us to the very poor, and unfortunately, there seems to be no shortage of them. Caring for others that are facing challenges that seem to be insurmountable, by deed or by prayer, makes us more human and humane.

There are professional caregivers like people in the medical profession; bless them all. The men and women of all faiths and denominations are often called upon to give comfort and help the unfortunate. They provide a service to help people address their fears and build on their strengths. Then there are policemen and firemen; virtually no one makes it through their lives without needing the help of these men and women, which are dedicated to keeping us safe from harm. I must also mention soldiers and their families; they have sacrificed so much to keep us safe and free. They are the true heroes and deserve respect from everyone.

What about the rest of us? We have an amazing power if we choose to use it. And that’s being compassionate towards our fellow man. You can pray or bless virtually anyone rather you know them or not, and for that matter, even if you dislike them. Yes, some people, by their very nature, are easily disliked, but then again, most of us are not perfect, and we walk around with our own annoying faults and trust me, some people will not like you no matter how wonderful you think you are. Does it matter? Not really. What matters most is the generosity you put forth towards others when it comes to wishing them the very best of blessings.

Showing compassion is interesting because it’s not always easy to determine if you’re trying to ease how you personally would feel if you were facing the same dilemma. Or are you just trying to ease your own conscience for whatever reason? Most people feel good when they, at the very least, pray for someone. People do ask others for prayers even if they don’t know them. Collectively we all think, and there is truth to this, that it can’t hurt and it may ease or heal. It can and often does bring forth miracles.

Compassion can take on many forms. You can write a check to help someone out of a situation they’re trying to deal with. Or just being a good friend and listening to them and giving them words of encouragement. Often, this will be just what the doctor ordered. The encouragement that you give to others that is well-meaning can often solve many issues that people face. It gives people hope, and hope is the first stage of all healing. Never underestimate what a little bit of kindness and caring can do to lift the spirits of your fellow man or woman. As I mentioned before, no one is immune to trouble, heartbreak, or health concerns. It’s nice to know that there are people out there that are praying for us even if they don’t know us.

You might want to evaluate your best means for showing compassion. For all practical purposes is pretty much free to do. It is a conscious decision that we all make. I don’t want to get negative here, but we’ve all thought to ourselves, “I have my own problems. Why should I care about theirs?” This is an unfortunate way to think. When you show compassion in your heart, you are elevating yourself above the petty notion of making it all about you. A little compassion towards others can bring back rewards that you may find to be extraordinary.

Anger versus compassion. The world is chaotic right now, and virtually every man, woman, and child has been affected. Anguish and anger are all around us every day. One way you can personally shed the angst, and the anger is to think more compassionately about others. It’s a little-known fact that when you become more loving and understanding of your fellow man, you bring healthy thoughts and ideas into your own life. Elevating yourself while elevating others with your wholesome positive and, I might add, forgiving nature.

There’s an old saying that goes like this, “I’d rather forgive him than be him.” Another one says, “Who am I to be the judge? Because I am not walking in his or her shoes.” Need one more? How about one from Mother Teresa, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

“Sympathetic consciousness of others distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” And that’s the definition of compassion from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. It’s a wonderful interpretation of the word and its meaning. Kindheartedness does everyone a great deal of good, the giver and the receiver. My comments on compassion are not meant to be a sermon, but it’s something I fervently believe we should all try and practice. It’s good for our souls and for the souls of others. Give it a try for a day, a week, or a lifetime. It will make all of our lives much better in the short run and long run. Stay in peace, be generous with your compassion, you will quickly discover the rewards for doing so are spiritually uplifting and instant.

“I looked for magnanimity in others, only to find it was missing in me. I then became magnanimous towards others, and they gave it back to me.”

Rod Jones artist-writer