I wish you could have seen me. It would have been a little embarrassing but I would gladly have shared that moment of raw emotion with each and every one of you. Tears were pouring down my face.
We’re all compassionate, aren’t we? Or are we really? When we experience moments of compassion in this world, do we cry and wait for someone else to take action? Or do we get off our ass and do something that might require a little personal sacrifice?
The other day, I came across a video of a young woman, Geniene Burchett, who truly lives a life of compassion. I believe I’m compassionate, as I’m sure we all do. And yet, as the tears welled up in my eyes while watching this video, I realized angels cross our paths every day with lessons and insight of what a life worth living is really about. At times we are fortunate to have our hearts open long enough to capture that lesson, and impact not only our lives, but the lives of those who cross our path.
This video of Geniene’s work put tears in my eyes,not only because of the children and their laughter in such a devastating time,but also because of the depth of compassion this lady has towards others in this world.
It is so refreshing to run into people like Geniene who remind you:
That the world is what we create it to be,
and not what it creates us to be in the environments we live in.
Only those who have the courage to look beyond themselves will truly know the impact a compassionate moment will have in their lives, a gift with no words to describe those emotions.
When one gives with compassion — Be it financially, a week out of their year to those in need, an hour out of their heavily scheduled week, a few minutes of their busy day to listen to another without judgment, or a few seconds out of their lunch hour in order to hold the door open for another — it is truly a gift in return. It is a gift that makes you into the person you are to become.
Most of us have been so heavily influenced by the decades of “ME!” that in our mad pursuit of personal happiness we have missed many opportunities to make the world a happier place.
We have forgotten that we share this world with other human beings and it’s not all about the self-important “me”. We are all blessed in different ways. Some of us can give financially, some can give time, some hold a hand in times of grief and some can smile at a stranger.
Altruism wears many disguises. Not all of us can drop everything and head off to a third world country but there are so many ways we can live up to our compassionate selves every single day. Do something for someone else — whether you think they deserve it or not because it is not up to us to judge.
Watching this video has once again made me question my daily compassion towards others. I’ve set myself a challenge to make a difference, to show my compassion in a self-less way. And I challenge each one of you to show your compassion too.
Starting right now, spend a week being aware of how much you give back to the world, more so, in small moments during the day. Find ways that make someone else’s day a little brighter, a little easier, or a little more hopeful.
It doesn’t matter when you read this, start now! Report back here on what you have done each day. Let us find out what compassion really looks like and, more so, feels like.
I’m looking forward to seeing the simple, creative, and caring ways you find to show your compassionate side. But even more than that, I’m looking forward to the better world we can create by inspiring one another.
What would this world be if everyone took one extra minute a day to be a little more compassionate towards others?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZdjdJHIayY
Thank you Fred for sharing this video and showing us how important it is to be there for others- to give for the sake of giving.
With love,
Marie
Marie, glad you enjoyed the video.
The most important thing to keep in mind is not what we would like to do but do not have the time, money etc… But, more so, what we are able to do.
If one says they are too busy to lend a hand to one that is crossing the street, keeping the door open for another, or smiling to another. Then they should really reflect in the mirror…
Thank you Fred, for your words and honest feelings, I honor anyone who is able to open their heart … in TRUST, speak their and be their truth…and show a little bit of compassion through words spoken really from their heart and not from the head.
Compassion today…
I have sadly been able to paint or draw or work on the business for a few months now as i have created RSI in my right arm (my giving arm) and my left hand (receiving hand), this is through working on the computer and painting etc… this is mainly because i find it hard to stop… take time out and give to myself….
I now find it hard to do the most simple things like wash up, chopping veg, carry shopping and write a note or typing… I took myself and my hands for granted.
I am not writing this for sympathy rather than just sharing with you…
So the message from the universe for me at this time is learn to receive, and ask for help from those who love me, this is my journey at present and I is a tough one for me… but i am in surrender without choice!
The love that has been given to me has really blown me away.. so much support with everything from offering to shop and wash up for me, a friend turned up the other day with dinner for me, offers of treatments and healings, friends offering help keep the Seraphina-arts running, fund raising etc…
This ‘LOVE’ I have realised has always been there… I just didn’t give anyone the chance to share it with me because I was so happy giving… We need to receive just as much as we give…
So now when I do something nice for someone…. instead of expecting something back…I give or do something nice for me!
So if any of you who are seeing me as a mirror.. please do yourself a favor … treat yourself and receive from the only person you need to receive from YOU!
I thank you all for being you and all the kind things you do everyday.
Blessings and love geniene xx
My dear, what a wise lesson you have learned and more importantly shared with us all.
Life exists in balance, your Ying and Yang, your right hand of giving and your left hand of receiving.
In order for us to give we have to be strong enough to receive.
To all the givers in this world, make sure you empty your cup before you over fill.
Dear Gen,
I fell madly in love with your video. Seeing the smiles on the childrens faces was so inspiring. By you sharing your experiences I am kindly reminded of how much more we can all give back. It is gratifying to know that there are amazing people like you in this world helping others.
Thank you for taking the time to post your experiences.
Take care
Melanie
Melanie, you are so right. One act of kindness can ripple around the world touching countless people.
More precious than that, few of those people will follow their heart and be more aware of how much more we can do for others.
Good morning Fred,
This is really inspiring work and words from both you and Geniene.
It is a beautiful day here in London and I have been up bright and early, and your words have made my day already.
The lesson I keep learning is that it is so easy to show kindness and a single act can go a long way. Last night I was at a little cafe with 2 other friends and this place only had 6 bar stools where we could sit and eat.
I initially moved along so that a family of three – a man and his two children could have more space. They had 2 stools between. I then gave my stool to the father and all this time hardly a word was uttered between us. But the look of gratitude in their eyes and faces needed no words.
It really takes so little for us to help others and it would be wonderful if we can all spend some time and energy everyday to do a little bit for others.
And of course we also need to learn to receive!
PS Geniene – sorry to hear about your RSI – but as you say it is time for YOU to receive. Lets fix up a time for you to visit London and my chill out zone!
[...] Fred has just written about how compassion changes the world and feeds the soul [...]
Arvind, thank you for being aware of those around you and, more so, taking action. It would be so easy to ignore a small gesture as lending a stool to someone beside us.
In turn, that gentleman will remember the gesture, as we always remember how people make us feel, and pas that gesture onwards.
I read a post on Arvinds blog about compassion that is well worth the read.
http://www.arvinddevalia.com/blog/2007/06/30/show-more-compassion-my-last-ever-blog-message/
I am so glad and thankful that there are people like you in the world, Geniene. The sound of children laughing is the the most beautiful sound in the world! Thanks for making so many kids laugh uncontrollably! I will too, one day …… when I am done school!
I am reminded of a day about 10 years ago that still occupies my thoughts and comes across my mind when I am grocery shopping.
About 10 years ago, I went to a grocery store, Buy Low Foods, to pick up a couple of things. As I was standing at the checkout line there was a young lady standing infront of me, she probably was between 18-20 years old. She was talking to the checkstand girl and I was half paying attention. I heard the young lady tell the cashier I think I will put the “cereal” box back. The young lady paid and then left very quickly. I asked the cashier if there was something wrong with the cereal and she replied, she didnt get it because she couldnt afford it. I cant express how sad I felt when I heard the cashier tell me that!! I SHOULD have payed attention earlier when the young lady was counting the money in her hand. I SHOULD have paid for her cereal.
I ran to the door to see if I can see this young lady and pay for her cereal, but she was nowhere to be found.
I read this article a few weeks back and it brought a tear to my eye. I read it again last night and now again today.
At least now when I am paying for groceries, I make it a habit to pay attention to the person infront of me. But, I will never, ever forget the chance I had to make a difference, a very small difference, in this young ladies life, and I didn’t! It would have cost me nothing but it would have meant something special to her.
Oh how I wish I could turn back the hands of time, even 3 minutes just to pay for her cereal.
Lucky, nice post. Thanks for having the courage to share it.
These lessons that we are fortunate enough to learn helps us become more aware of others around us.
Most of us live in our safe little bubble we have created – very few have the courage to open our hearts to the pain of others.
Lucky, divine 2009 to you!
I would like to thank you for feeling… so many people miss the present moment, and how in a moment we can make a difference however small.
I would like to thank you for receiving the teaching of staying present and being aware… I find it hard when i hear the word ’should’, without sounding like a teacher….
I like to offer an opportunity to forgive ourselves for all the missed opportunities to help someone out… and change ’should’ to ‘could’… and know only the ‘now’ is on offer to us… and what a blessing we have been gifted with the perminant opportunity to know we can always be open to helping someone out.
blessings to your 2009
with love and thanks geniene
xxx
Geniene, you are awesome.
Use our past not to define us, but more so use our experiences to make us stronger through the sight of awareness. In turn using our present to make the decisions we ‘could’ be making to define the world into a more compassionate place.
Wishing everyone all the happiness for 2009 and beyond.