“Seize the Day” Photo by Sally Davies
According to every Holy One who walked this earth, there is one thing necessary to living happily ever after: Compassion. Not only is compassion the golden rule of a blessed life, it’s also the greatest spiritual force in the universe. In the life of Christ, compassion is the stuff of which miracles are made. In our lives too, becoming compassionate makes us capable of miracles. Give it a try and see for yourself.
While there are as many ways to be compassionate as there are moments in a day, here are three of my favorites:
See Diversity as Divine
One of the best ways to send good will to all is to be unbiased in how we think about those who are different. Listen to Lady GaGa: “We’re born this way. God doesn’t make mistakes.” Stop the impulse to judge; look beyond appearances. See differences not as good or evil, better or worse, just equally different. The most compassionate way to respond to the infinite diversity among us is to respectfully “let it be.”
Be Kind to Strangers
“Be not afraid to have strangers in your house, for some thereby have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2) Ever since I read that, the way I felt about strangers changed completely. In treating strangers as possible angels, not potential devils, I found it to be true that good will produces a great aura of protection—which generally means if you’re kind to strangers, they have no power to harm (not that they would anyhow). Most of us have no intention of harming anyone ever. So, don’t be afraid to be kind to strangers, for you too may be meeting angels without knowing it.
Even if something doesn’t make sense, it shouldn’t be dismissed. We get into a destructive place when we conclude that those who don’t share our beliefs are not only wrong, but evil. Except for compassion, there is no one right path. There are endless ways to live this life well and we are not appointed judge and jury. I found it good to drop my sense of moral superiority and revere as sacred our common ground. We’re in this life together. And while we may not be able to cure the world of its sorrows, we can choose to live compassionately, without hate, fear, and anger. We can choose to be compassionate, accepting everything as holy “just as it is.”
Until next week, think about this: In separateness lies the world’s great misery, in compassion lies the world’s true strength. Buddha
Karol Jackowski, Ph.D., became a nun in 1964. She's also been a college administrator, graduate of New York University, manager of a toy store, author of eight books, painter of religious folk art, and sister to everyone she meets. Please visit her website at KarolJackowski.com.
From: Kathy Cummings | 6/13/11 at 3:14 pm
Dear Karol,
I am savouring Day#3 of my four days off with complete alone-time. As I purused my books to select some reading for the day, I decided on your book Ten Fun Things... What a delight and what timely messages for my 63 year continual search for inner calm, improved understanding, increased patience, and on and on. I am electronically challenged, however managed to locate your Blog and inspirational writings. Will continue to check for your weekly musings.
Thank you,
Kathy
From: Article: Three Ways to Be More Compassionate « Eddy | 6/13/11 at 3:47 pm
[...] Three Ways to Be More Compassionate http://wholelivingdaily.wholeliving.com/2011/06/three-ways-to-be-more-compassionate.html [...]
From: Karol Jackowski | 6/13/11 at 7:25 pm
Kathy...Welcome to the weekly soul-savers. I am honored to be part of your days of solitary splendor. I hope you're having more fun than anyone else.
Karol