Are you compassionate?

March 16th, 2009 by admin

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ~ Leo Buscaglia

Sometimes it seems that we live in a society that has lost its compassion. Many people have hardened their hearts and closed their minds to the suffering of others.

I was talking to a friend one day and he made the statement that we were better than those in the undeveloped nations. It was as if by being better than others we didn’t have to be concerned with their plight. It was alright for them to suffer because they were somehow less than we were.

This was a good person; one who would give you the shirt off his back, as the saying goes, if he considered you a friend. It just goes to show how our ego can manipulate us into turning a blind eye to the problems of others.

We see evidence of this even in the attitudes of some concerning those who are less fortunate than they in our own society. The attitude towards the poor, “who need to go out and get a job,” regardless of their ability and training or availability of jobs.

In many cases it seems as our society blames the poor and the sick for their own misery, as if it is their fault and therefore should not be helped. This is the attitude of many who seems to have it all; money, power and all else that we associate with success.

How do you feel about it? Does the couple who, even tho both work for minimum wage, do not make enough money to feed their family deserve help? How about the single mom who cannot seem to make ends meet? How about the homeless and the hungry? Do they not deserve our compassion?

A society that does not take care of its own will not survive. This is proven again and again through out history. The societies that have suppressed and neglected their citizens have not survived.

Will you be a part of the problem or the solution? If you do nothing, you are a part of the problem. If you have feelings of superiority or think because you are doing alright the everyone can do for themselves you are part of the problem.

It does not cost anything to make a habit of bestowing on others a kind word or gentle touch. Kindness is contagious. You will never know how much you brightened the day of a stranger with a smile or a friendly hello.

Have you not noticed how someone’s face lights up when you compliment them. What did that compliment cost you? You didn’t lose anything, but you gained much. Your kindness comes back to you tenfold.

TODAY’S TIP: Make it a habit to compliment others whenever you have the opportunity. It will brighten their day and yours also.

When was the last time you helped another?