It has been almost a week since the grand unveiling of 1000 Voices for Compassion initiative on February 20th. Bloggers, writers and artists all over the world lent their voices to encourage compassion. There were many reveal posts prior to the 20th answering the questions, why this was important to those participating and what compassion means to them personally.
I posted both a reveal post > Compassion #1000Speak – Why? and a compassion post on the 20th > Simple Compassion,and others previously with compassion as the theme
I have read many wonderful posts by some brilliant people all around the theme of compassion. Inspiring, beautiful, gut-wrenching, touching and some even funny. The world needs compassion, each and every one of us, on a daily basis and based on the outpouring of love, emotion and thoughts it seems like we all have enough to share.
And yet…it seems…
That my own compassion is failing, miserably?
Compassion for others and for myself so often is complacent and appears non-existent. They infringe, blatantly so without concern, I believe on my life and agenda and I am offended and hurt. How dare they, I silently scream inside!
>They do not hold the door for me when they clearly see me walking up, even though my arms are empty and work just fine and I have so much to be grateful for.
>They cut me off in traffic without signaling a lane change then speeding off as they just got a call from the hospital and their first child is being born.
>They drive the speed limit on a beautiful curvy country road where dappled sunlight filters through the leafless trees when I am in a hurry to get nowhere fast.
>They talk loudly in the coffee shop about recent struggles with their marriage and child while I frantically try to type a blog post on my laptop that will change the world.
>They ignore the pain that I see daily in the mirror reflected back at me in my own eyes, yet I am ambivalent to the silent pain I see in others.
>They stand staring blankly at me on the street corner, sign in hand as I think; I don’t have time, the light is going to change and then I sip my $5.00 coffee drink.
>And then, I call myself all sorts of vulgar and ugly names, knowing that if anyone did that to someone I love, nothing could stop me from exacting my own vengeance.
I am guilty of each of these things, over and over and …I criticize and belittle others for these exact things, even if it is only in my mind, for not showing kindness. As if that justifies my anger and resentment. We watch the large showings of compassion all over the news and social media; posted, shared, tweeted etc., etc.  These things are important no doubt and I pray I will participate in more initiatives such as this one and even play a part in a major story of compassion that makes headlines.
And yet…maybe it is in the little things? Maybe it starts with me?
“Some believe it is only GREAT POWER that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I have found that it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” ~Gandalf (J.R.R. Tolkien)
So, I challenge you as I have challenged myself; what will you do now?
And I leave you with the following words to the song “How Can it Be” by Lauren Daigle, there is grace and no matter how many times we fail, we can try again.Â
I am guilty
Ashamed of what I’ve done, what I’ve become
These hands are dirty
I dare not lift them up to the Holy one
Though I fall, You can make me new
From this death I will rise with You
Oh the grace reaching out for me
How can it be
How can it beÂ
#Just Believe #Grace Wins #HopeLives
This is excellent, and I am guilty myself. We all are, and if we say we are not, we are just fooling ourselves. Tonight I was on my way to church and someone pulled out in front of me and I had to put on my breaks and slow down very quickly… and they never got up to the speed limit. I found myself immediately thinking “How dare they?!” And in the same breath having to ask for forgiveness because who am I? I am no more important than they are. So with His help it is time to change my “ME” complex. Thanks for this, it is amazing.
It is a journey we’re on together. All I can say is I’m glad we aren’t where we were but I am still so far from where and who I want to be.
Amen!
Oh Mark, I hear you. I just read a post about ‘practice what you preach’ and I thought oh dear this has been on my mind since yesterday. Then I come and read your post here… These are certainly signs for me too. I think it takes time to change and I am hopeful for change… The way you share with us here is admirable and I thank you for it. Your soul is wonderful.
Thank you Christy. We must continue on remembering that we may not be where we want to be but at least we are not where we used to be. 🙂
Excellent words here, Mark. I find myself looking forward to your blog posts.
Reblogged this on Maleko's Art and commented:
Felt compelled to reblog a previous post of mine about my compassion failures after an incident that occurred this morning. I dropped off the car at the repair shop and was walking the 3 or so miles to work when I was approached by a young lady who asked for change for bus fare. I immediately responded, “sorry I have no change” and walked away. My mind and the enemy then started working.
It was the truth I had no change but I had a $20 bill, why didn’t I give her that? Why did I not offer other options? Or just stop for a minute and talk? By the time I turned back she had disappeared. It was a beautiful morning with the sun shining, I am able to afford a vehicle for transportation and the means to have it repaired and yet, I did not help. My compassion failed me once again…
Thank you for taking part in 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. Your post is important. Self-honesty matters, recognising where we aren’t managing to get to where we’d like to be matters. Seeing the hurt in others’ eyes, and recognising that we shut ourselves off from it matters…
And so does self-compassion. Be kind to yourself. Even just noticing where you “fail” is a success.
Thank you Yvonne.