Compassion.
So the word rolling around in my head these days is compassion.
com·pas·sion
noun /kəmˈpaSHən/
compassions, pluralSympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others
I have come to realize that in this life, genuine compassion makes an appearance like a recurring character played by a b list actor. You recognize him, but can’t quite pinpoint where from. Compassion has become “that guy, you know, in that show with the thing”. Compassion, it seems has been type cast into the important, but not vital category in life. However, in a world where economies are in turmoil, foreclosures are the norm, and poverty is rampant, compassion needs to be a leading role in our own daily lives. Giving to a world organization is nice and all, but if we fail to be compassionate to those in our own communities, how can we truly be compassionate to those beyond our national boundaries?
The sad part is that compassion is that one thing that everyone wants, yet they never outright say as much. They ask for people who care, or people who give a damn, but they rarely speak of compassionate people. And people who care and people who have compassion aren’t necessarily the same kind of people. Equating care with compassion is a slippery slope to climb for one reason, and one reason alone. Forgiveness. Compassion requires one to forgive all that they know, presume, or judge and care for someone for the sake of caring. It seems that as the b-list character, compassion is something one can do from afar, which inevitably does not require any kind of real forgiveness. The starving in Africa have done nothing to harm you; have never offended your sensitivities; nor have they directly impacted your tax bracket. But to be compassionate to those in your own streets who are just as needy and just as hungry requires you to forgive them for all the misgivings you prejudge them for. This kind of forgiveness seems to be a lost art in our society.
Returning to my urban roots, and being reminded that not everyone is as lucky as I am, has forced me to think about this act of compassion. I used to be the kind of person who would give change, buy a coffee, or just engage in conversation with those who seemingly needed the friend. But now, having been in a society where the needy are shunned to the outskirts of town, I realize that I have forgotten how to be genuinely compassionate. Compassion, it seems, is not like riding a bike. You have to actively practice it for it to become a natural part of who you are.
So, how do you actively practice genuine compassion? Well, for starters, you have to learn to be comfortable with forgiveness. When faced with issues that hurt, or people who have harmed, learn to let it go. Just remember this: We are all human, and at one point you will hurt someone else and you will cause painful things for others. And when you do, you will want someone to forgive you. As humans, we are not perfect. Let the things that weigh you down go. Then, seek to be active in understanding what has caused pain, what has done the damage. You can try to fix it, if the situation allows, but that rarely is the case. Understanding and listening is the compassionate part.
After that, it becomes pretty easy.
But the point isn’t to be compassionate 100% of the time, it is to try to be as often as you can. Live a life in which compassion is valued. You will struggle with it at times, and in truth, you have to allow yourself those struggles. This is how you will be able to witness your own compassion at work, and ultimately grow because of it.
Life is just too short to not be compassionate.
/J
