Voices of Compassion Part XXIV

I stand on a corner in Davis, California USA and ask people to write their concept of compassion in a notebook. Been doing so for over two years now, and occassionally I share some of the responses here on CAN. About a year ago self-published a portion of those responses in a compilation book and since then people offer their gratitude on how it's affected them after reading it and also the different ways it's been used--most recently a son bought it for his mother and she used it in a lesson in her elementary school class, a mentor shared it with his student who expressed how she felt the world is full of evil, greed, and hatred and it made her feel more optimistic, and a young boy brought by a smooth stone ingrained with the word "compassion" on it after reading the book and seeing the rock in a gift store. I share these stories to show the power of compassion, how it touches others, and to say thank you to those involved with CAN who do the work of good will.

Enjoy this 24th installment:

C = Being able to see, + feel with your heart. :) + then take action to assist, love, help, listen +/or give, or ask, what can I do?--how can I help. Sometimes "helping" is just seeing + feeling someone, the other, even, yourself--thank you! "Sistah"

To care, to love, to understand and appreciate even those we don't know, and when they are in need!

Capable of empathy.

Compassion--children show compassion.

Compassion means to be with another person or living thing. It means to share the emotional condition of another, while respecting the uniqueness of the other's experience; more like sympathy then empathy. The precursor to love (agape) and a peaceful, just human society.

Compassion is about connection with others--strangers, friends, or family. It's the living understanding that we humans are all rooted in the same core--same family; and acting upon that understanding in a communal, caring and loving way.

Realizing that we are all "life" that come in different forms, shapes, sizes. Compassion is understanding life in all living beings and getting rid of ego.

Learning to accept the flaws of yourself and of others and love them and yourself regardless.

Compassion is the evolved neurochemical behavior used to maintain and foster lasting relationships.