The Power of Compassion
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Sympathy looks in and says, “I’m sorry.”
Compassion goes in and says, “I’m with you.“
Sympathy looks in and says, “I would like to help.”
Compassion goes in and says, “I am here to help.“
Sympathy says, “I wish I could carry your burden.”
Compassion says, “Cast your burden on me.“
Sympathy often irritates many words.
Compassion helps and hears in quietness and understanding.
-Author Unknown
There is a difference between sympathy and compassion that demonstrates the critical effect of compassion in another person’s life.
A young man named Mark was walking home from school one day when he noticed that a boy ahead of him had tripped and dropped all of the books he was carrying, along with two sweaters, a baseball bat, a glove, and a small tape recorder.
Mark knelt and helped the boy pick up the scattered articles. Since they were going the same way, he helped the boy carry part of the burden. As they walked, he discovered the boy’s name was Bill, he loved video games, baseball, and history, and he was having lots of trouble with his other subjects.
They arrived at Bill’s home first, and Mark was invited in for a Coke and to watch some television. The afternoon passed pleasantly with a few laughs and shared small talk; then Mark went home.
They continued to see each other around school, had lunch together once in a while, then both graduated from junior high school. They ended up in the same high school where they had brief contacts over the years. Finally, the long-awaited senior year came, and three weeks before graduation, Bill asked Mark if they could talk.
Bill reminded Mark of the day years ago when they had first met. “Did you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things home that day?” asked Bill. “You see, I cleaned out my locker because I didn’t want to leave a mess for anyone else. I had stored some of my mother’s sleeping pills and was going home to commit suicide.’
Bill told Mark that he realized that he didn’t want to die after spending time together talking and laughing. “I would have missed that time with you and many other good times in my life that followed. Mark, I am trying to say that you did a lot more when you picked up those books that day. You saved my life.”
Compassion is a character trait that is present in everyone. However, it is also a trait that sometimes gets forgotten. It is both innate and can be learned and enhanced. It is something you can develop with practice. It involves two things: intention and action. The intention is simply opening your heart to others; action is what you do about it.
We never know how our reaction or response affects those we encounter. Mark’s act of compassion saved a life, and we might do that without ever knowing it, but there are ways we can show kindness to our family or the people we meet every day.
Here are some real-world ways we can show compassion every day.
- Regardless of how we feel about the effectiveness of wearing a mask during this pandemic, we must do it wherever we are asked to. Whether it eases another person’s fears or keeps the virus from spreading, it shows compassion.
- Open the door for someone. I find this to be such a kind gesture.
- Motivate others. Words give life to ideas. So use your words to inspire others to participate in the promised future and the change they need.
- Practice acts of kindness. Not long after breast cancer surgery, I was at Walmart trying to lift a hefty package to put in my buggy. Suddenly a person said, “Let me help you with that.” After I checked out, I took the cart to my car and opened the trunk. Another person said, “Ma’am, let me lift that for you.” I can’t tell you how much that meant to me.
- Allocate time to bond with friends and family. Do more than text. Make a phone call or a visit.
- Words are so important. They can break you down or lift you. Always share encouraging words. We never know when someone’s life depends on it.
- Share a hug or a handshake. I know about the Coronoviris, but I also see the power of touch.
- Incorporate the phrase “thank you” into your daily routine. For example, we can touch a perfect stranger’s heart by saying, “Thank you, sir, or thank you, ma’am.”
- Offer to help someone with their to-do list or any other thing you see that they may need.
Mark decided to open his heart to another person in need. He could have walked on past without giving a second thought. But he didn’t. He decided to help, and, in doing so, he saved a person’s life.
It was a small gesture and only took a few moments for all that to happen, but that is how compassion works. Mother Teresa reminds us, “We cannot always do great things on this earth. We can only do small things with great love.”
Imagine what would have happened if Mark had only shaken his head in sympathy and walked on. We never know what a difference we can make in someone’s life when we show compassion.
Author for Morningcoffeebeans.com