With Gratitude for Compassion

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”  (Dalai Lama)

“One day I looked at something in myself that I had been avoiding because it was too painful. Yet once I did, I had an unexpected surprise.  Rather than self-hatred, I was flooded with compassion for myself because I realized the pain necessary to develop that coping mechanism to begin with.”  (Marianne Williamson)

“If her past were your past, her pain your pain, her level of consciousness your level of consciousness, you would think and act exactly as she does.  With this realization comes forgiveness, compassion and peace.”  (Eckhart Tolle)

"Grief can be the garden of compassion.  If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life's search for love and wisdom."  (Rumi)

Recently, while volunteering at the Library, I heard a man say “I saw this homeless guy picking up a book on [some subject], what would he know about that?!”  We easily determine who people are by their looks, their dress, their interests, what they drive, etc.  What we don’t know are all the experiences they’ve had in their life and the pain they’re carrying beneath their skin because of those experiences.

As an example, Eckhart Tolle, author of A New Earth (2005), had a difficult childhood, experienced depression as an adult and became a vagrant on the street for a number of years.  During this period, he experienced “a state of deep bliss.”  Eventually he began to write.  Today he is known worldwide for his spiritual wisdom.  We never know what God’s plan is for us – we must trust His Plan because it is greater than we can ever imagine.

Souls come to this earth to learn compassion and some to teach compassion.  Sometimes it is actually those we least expect who teach us compassion.  At this beautiful season, I think it is important to find compassion for ourselves and then to take the love that that creates to find compassion for others as we look beyond their exterior.

I recently lost my Mother and my twin Brother – my Mother’s death was somewhat expected for her age and illness issues; however, my Brother’s death was sudden and unexpected.  At the time of their deaths, I realized they both brought me to a higher level of compassion, for which I am grateful.

I believe we can make our world a more compassionate place.  Let’s do this for Christmas – it will provide a gift to ourselves, to others and an even bigger gift to Jesus!

Wishing you and your family and friends a blessed and compassionate Christmas.