They say compassion includes accepting people for who they are and forgiving them for making mistakes, showing respect, encouraging others, and listening carefully without judgment. It seems to have been missing in action lately.
True empathy and compassion are missing from society today.
I try to teach my grandchildren whenever the opportunity arises. The other day my 3 year-old grandson was ready to squash a bug on the kitchen floor. I stopped him and pointed out that the bug just wanted to be like him; living a happy, fun life. Then I said "I don't know how he got in the house, but I'll bet he's lost and looking for his family." My grandson's face softened as he considered this. I scooped up the bug in a Kleenex and he carried the bug outside, releasing him on the ground.
"Now he'll be able to find his family and we can be happy knowing we helped him, right?" My grandson smiled and wanted to search the rest of the house for lost bugs. I distracted him with a cookie. 🍪 😉
I've had my feet on both sides of the line also. And that's exactly why I have compassion, empathy, and am less judgmental than many.
There are many non- niceties these days. I try and overlook, but there are two situations I absolutely am not tolerating. One is someone's belief system being shamed on one end of the spectrum (along with name calling). The other is anyone who tries to convince me (or anyone for that matter) that how and what 'we' believe can and is harmful to another. Note I said belief not action.
The world is an odd place these days. Being polite and nice carries weight.
Hi Patti, I'd guess that you experienced it more than I - I went home at night and on the weekends. You lived there and managed to move on to tell the story. My hat is off to you. I also think being polite and nice carry weight - all the time.
The heartbreak you have borne witness to is hard to imagine Janice, specifically that young mother dying after giving birth. Hearing things like that make me extra thankful to be a Canadian with universal health care.
I also felt the energetic shift to hopefulness last week💕
This is a lovely piece. If anyone is so minded, all income from paid subscriptions on my site go to a shelter for the homeless. I also wrote a post about the homeless, helped by Val McDermid.
One of the sadness moments I ever witnessed was an 11 year old little girl who had actually given birth — forced to visit with her parents — the ones who had pimped her out. The parents were waiting on their sentencing. What barbaric system does that — white, black, rich or poor?!?!
Hi Jan, Years ago I did a practicum assignment at Planned Parenthood. One of my first clients was a pregnant 10 year old girl. I still remember having to tell her mother and the Mom's anguished cry "mija, who?' You're point is well taken - why does any child ever have to deal with such a reality?
You have had a remarkable life, Janice Walton. It is so good that you are writing it down. It must not be forgotten. Thanks for sharing with us your experiences.
Hi Sharron, When I was 18 years old, my life dream was to get married, have two children, and own a small house. When, I look back, I could never, in my wildest dreams, have envisioned the opportunities, I've had and I am so very grateful.
Hi, In retrospect, I didn't take care of myself as well as I "should" have - mainly because I wasn't prepared for the glimpse into their lives that I had. It changed me. I do agree, there is always a glimmer of good - we just have to keep looking - humor helps, as well.
Compassionate caring for others in a community is what strengthens the lives in that community, creating resilience, resolve and renewal. We need more activists willing to demonstrate what that looks like, feels like and what happens as a result. There are some other glimmers of hope on the horizon with more young people discovering how to do that through service learning programs, through volunteering with non-profit agencies that work on housing, education and employment in marginalized communities, and in working together in those collaborative efforts. There are too many privileged kids living in their bubbles with little understanding or appreciation what life is like "on the other side of the tracks."
Hi Gary, So true, there are other glimmers of hope with the young people -at least some of them. I've thought about your last statement before - and agree. Yet, my understanding didn't occur until I was in my 50s, so maybe there is hope for others.
They say compassion includes accepting people for who they are and forgiving them for making mistakes, showing respect, encouraging others, and listening carefully without judgment. It seems to have been missing in action lately.
I love this definition.
True empathy and compassion are missing from society today.
I try to teach my grandchildren whenever the opportunity arises. The other day my 3 year-old grandson was ready to squash a bug on the kitchen floor. I stopped him and pointed out that the bug just wanted to be like him; living a happy, fun life. Then I said "I don't know how he got in the house, but I'll bet he's lost and looking for his family." My grandson's face softened as he considered this. I scooped up the bug in a Kleenex and he carried the bug outside, releasing him on the ground.
"Now he'll be able to find his family and we can be happy knowing we helped him, right?" My grandson smiled and wanted to search the rest of the house for lost bugs. I distracted him with a cookie. 🍪 😉
I've had my feet on both sides of the line also. And that's exactly why I have compassion, empathy, and am less judgmental than many.
There are many non- niceties these days. I try and overlook, but there are two situations I absolutely am not tolerating. One is someone's belief system being shamed on one end of the spectrum (along with name calling). The other is anyone who tries to convince me (or anyone for that matter) that how and what 'we' believe can and is harmful to another. Note I said belief not action.
The world is an odd place these days. Being polite and nice carries weight.
Hi Patti, I'd guess that you experienced it more than I - I went home at night and on the weekends. You lived there and managed to move on to tell the story. My hat is off to you. I also think being polite and nice carry weight - all the time.
Yes, Janice, I agree. We both live to tell the rest of the story.
The heartbreak you have borne witness to is hard to imagine Janice, specifically that young mother dying after giving birth. Hearing things like that make me extra thankful to be a Canadian with universal health care.
I also felt the energetic shift to hopefulness last week💕
Hi Donna, Here's to hope!!
This is a lovely piece. If anyone is so minded, all income from paid subscriptions on my site go to a shelter for the homeless. I also wrote a post about the homeless, helped by Val McDermid.
What is a “valid reason” to hold someone hostage?
One of the sadness moments I ever witnessed was an 11 year old little girl who had actually given birth — forced to visit with her parents — the ones who had pimped her out. The parents were waiting on their sentencing. What barbaric system does that — white, black, rich or poor?!?!
Hi Jan, Years ago I did a practicum assignment at Planned Parenthood. One of my first clients was a pregnant 10 year old girl. I still remember having to tell her mother and the Mom's anguished cry "mija, who?' You're point is well taken - why does any child ever have to deal with such a reality?
You have had a remarkable life, Janice Walton. It is so good that you are writing it down. It must not be forgotten. Thanks for sharing with us your experiences.
Hi Sharron, When I was 18 years old, my life dream was to get married, have two children, and own a small house. When, I look back, I could never, in my wildest dreams, have envisioned the opportunities, I've had and I am so very grateful.
Your work was truly a mitzvah. I hope you were able to take care of yourself at the end of a tough day— like witnessing a 16 yo die in childbirth. 😞
There is always a glimmer of good. We just have to know where to find it. 🙏
Hi, In retrospect, I didn't take care of myself as well as I "should" have - mainly because I wasn't prepared for the glimpse into their lives that I had. It changed me. I do agree, there is always a glimmer of good - we just have to keep looking - humor helps, as well.
Compassionate caring for others in a community is what strengthens the lives in that community, creating resilience, resolve and renewal. We need more activists willing to demonstrate what that looks like, feels like and what happens as a result. There are some other glimmers of hope on the horizon with more young people discovering how to do that through service learning programs, through volunteering with non-profit agencies that work on housing, education and employment in marginalized communities, and in working together in those collaborative efforts. There are too many privileged kids living in their bubbles with little understanding or appreciation what life is like "on the other side of the tracks."
Hi Gary, So true, there are other glimmers of hope with the young people -at least some of them. I've thought about your last statement before - and agree. Yet, my understanding didn't occur until I was in my 50s, so maybe there is hope for others.
some of them