Be a Light of Compassion
By Lisa Templeton, Ph.D.
Published in December 2019 Luminous Wisdom: SOPHIA
It sometimes feels as though we are living in a world bereft of compassion. People are always busy, rushing here and there without noticing the suffering of others. Many feel so fatigued by the chaos of the world, they lose sight of those around them. We often hold ourselves to high standards of perfection and if we don’t meet those standards, we deem ourselves “not good enough.” Expectations for self and others can seem overwhelmingly unrealistic and unreasonable.
In the face of these perceptions, the truth is that we are all doing the best we can in a difficult world. Most of us care very deeply; we just don’t always know how to express it. The world is full of compassion, we need only open our eyes to it. Consider the similarities all humans have with each other and offer cooperative understanding to everyone (including yourself) as we each take part in the planet’s community.
Compassion sparks a light on the path to caring and it can only be activated from within ourselves. If we are demanding and harsh within, how can we be gentle with others? To be a light of compassion, we have to learn to soften. To do so, we must change our perspective and open our hearts. We have learned to harden in order to protect ourselves from a harsh world. Yet, we can learn to let go of hard ways and replace our walls with a soft demeanor of caution and consideration.
Our assumptions about ourselves and others play a large role in our perspectives. Consider how you might interpret a person who cuts into your lane and speeds past? Is this person an inconsiderate jerk or are they on the way to the hospital? The stories we tell ourselves in our mind can either spark or smother the light of compassion.
Take a look at how you are relating with yourself and understand that you are no different than anyone else. If you believe that others deserve compassion, but you don’t, you are dead wrong. Take notice of the inner narrative you convey about yourself and others. We cannot spark the light of compassion within us unless we let down our guard and allow for a little understanding and gentleness.
Within us all, there is light and this light needs to be nurtured and offered attention; taken care of with love. We are all in great need of love. Compassion is often equated with words like sympathy, pity, or empathy. Yet, the root word of compassion actually comes from Latin meaning “to love together with.” In essence, compassion is most closely related to an offering of love to those suffering.
It feels good to be supported and lifted up by others. Likewise, we can make ourselves feel good by offering a word of kindness or understanding, even if we make a mistake. Give yourself and others the benefit of the doubt. Allow your heart to soften. Be a light of compassion in the world.