Compassion #1000Speak – Why?

So, what is this post all about? Short answer: a little glimpse into who I am and why COMPASSION and the 1000 Voices for Compassion movement is important to me. So let’s get started, shall we?.

I am an artist but then aren’t we all?

The Background: Our lives are our masterpieces that we create each day either by addition, subtraction, building up or tearing down. I attempt to capture moments through my art: using pictures and words to encourage and shine a light into dark places.

What seems another lifetime ago I stood silently holding the hand of someone I planned to spend the rest of my life with. Feeling wholly helpless I could only watch her die from the evil cancer that ravaged her young body. I have traversed my own valley of shadows, and occasionally I will wander and find myself back there in that dark. I have cried, screamed, railed and bargained against the seeming injustice of it all and the randomness of another beautiful life gone. I pitied myself; while many tried to show me compassion, kindness and tenderness.

“The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. That’s the deal.” ~CS Lewis

I have slowly realized over 20 years later that my own pain should not and must not be the focus. Every person is fighting a battle and most of us have no idea. I know that many I have encountered over the years never see my scars for I carry them on the inside. The pain hidden deep, I retreat like a frightened child.

I am now slowly rebuilding my life on a belief and hope that there is a reason to the seeming madness of this world. I have since married a wonderful women who loves me in spite of my hypocritical and narcissistic self. I watched the birth of our daughter and have cherished watching her grow into a precious and loving ten-year old little lady.

Why it is Important to Me: From life to death and back to life my journey has taken me there. Life will go on, we do not get that choice.  It only matters what we do with our lives.

Now, in what I like to refer to as the second chapter of my life; I wish to share the joys, the sorrows, the hope and maybe even inspire someone on this crazy wonderful journey that we call life. I believe in the ‘ripple effect’, touch one life and you may touch the world.  The world craves compassion and we should freely give it both to others and to ourselves.

“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived – that is to have succeeded.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

This movement of over a 1000 strong participants posting about COMPASSION on February 20, 2015 is important to me. For I know that love will win. We must have compassion for each other and for ourselves. We can only do the best we can and often that is good enough. I will be posting on February 20th, which will include a special piece written by my daughter. You are more than you know!

I borrowed and plagiarized the following from the blog of Lizzi Rogers, one of the co-creators of this great event. (Thanks Lizzi! 🙂 )

What you can do: JOIN IN!

I have not seen a lot of men among the over 1000 participants, so guys consider this my challenge to you.  It is not to late to join in.  You don’t have to spill your guts – promise – but if you take part somehow, on ANY kind of social media platform, on February 20th, letting the world know that you’re putting something out there for 1000Speak, and relating something to do with compassion and why it matters to you, then you add weight and unique perspective to the movement.

Join us on Facebook

Find us at the 1000Speak blog

Use the #1000Speak hashtag on Twitter and Instagram

Promote this movement everywhere you can, and keep checking back to see how it’s going. Spread the word – we can’t do it alone.

We really are stronger together – 1000Speak needs YOU! Join the village, and BRING the difference.

If you have read this far, thank you and I leave you with this.  I need a drink 🙂 because being this transparent as I have on this blog about my life, my failings and my journey is a little scary.   But hey, it is who I am and so I will be kind to myself.  Be kind to yourselves and remember show compassion to everyone you meet! ~M