This week I will start with a small vocabulary refresher/lesson, per Momma Google. 🙂
- Compassion: sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others
- Mercy: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.
- Grace: courteous goodwill
- Kindness: the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
This quote:
“Have compassion for everyone you meet, even if they don’t want it. What seems conceit, bad manners, or cynicism is always a sign of things no ears have heard, no eyes have seen. You do not know what wars are going on down there where the spirit meets the bone.” – Miller Williams
Even if they don’t want it. All the things we so easily judge in others have another story…we just don’t know the wars going on inside others. Powerful perspective.
Unless….we ask…choose to listen…choose to understand…& exercise compassion. Even then, we will most likely only fully grasp portions, but never the entirety of the river of emotions within others.
Some things I believe compassion is:
Compassion is deciding within yourself, that you don’t know the best way to do all the things.
Compassion is deciding that you will take the extra minute to notice the pain in someones eyes.
Compassion is not being too busy to ask the questions that would reveal the pain others are experiencing.
Compassion is taking the time to let someone talk out the difficult things in their life right now, without solving their problem & making the solution seem obvious.
Compassion is showing up for others & helping carry the heavy things.
Compassion is getting over yourself & just loving others the best way you are able.
Compassion is forgiving someone for hurting your feelings, because you know they didn’t mean to.
Compassion is giving yourself grace & allowing yourself to just start again half way through your day. Taking a deep breath & remembering that no one is perfect.
Compassion is necessary for a peace filled life.
These examples of compassion merely scratch the surface, & offer a starting point for greater discussion & inspiration.
How can you show compassion this week? To yourself? To your neighbor? To your co-worker? To your family? To the lady cursing at you in traffic?
When presented with the opportunity, it is my hope that we can be reminded of this week’s affirmation & be encouraged to keeping choosing compassion.
I am compassionate | with others & myself
But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion & mercy,
slow to get angry & filled with unfailing love & faithfulness.
Psalms 86:15
Let us not be hard hearted toward anyone. Help us have open eyes to the needs & hurts of others. When we mess up at work, in our marriages, or while interacting with our kids, let us be compassionate to ourselves, allowing ourselves the room to mess up, try again, & keep improving.
Keep moving forward Friends. We can change our worlds, one act of compassion & one day at a time. Let’s choose to begin again today!
Namesste,
Sarah
The Mess in Me Honors the Mess in You
Namesste Momma 