be more compassionate

I’m trying to control my feelings of hurt and resentment right now, but it’s quite hard. It doesn’t help either that I’m already feeling so bloody confused and miserable. I understand that sometimes people (better not go into details this time) will make you feel like that, so I know this is just a passing thing. It’ll go away, so I should try not to feel so bitter right now. Compassion shouldn’t be forced. I’m going to just give myself some breathing space and try and get over it and start again.

Lately, I find myself getting mad at a lot of people. I take things personally, I think only of my issues. One thing, I know is that everybody hurts. And I think / hope by feeling more kind, my issues will just fade, because, really, I’ve pretty much got it made even if I have had more than my fair share of loved ones die. See? There it goes….......

Lately I find that I am lacking gratitude, and above all, compassion in my life for others. Never have I really noticed this, nor felt such a strong inclination to be kinder to others in my life. It’s like I’ve woken up to my worth as a person, and to the worths of those around me; and how I, if I were in their place, would like to be treated. It goes without saying that everyone wants to be treated with consideration and respect. But I don’t think any of these can exist without compassion first: a feeling of genuine sympathy and concern for people who are not as fortunate as we are.

You truly define the essence of compassion. If modern Western medicine had even half the care about living that you have about dying, the world might be a much better place.

I give up! I really don’t care about strangers problems. I tried to care, but all I was doing was pretending to care and I don’t think that is the point!

“One of the emotions most disturbing our mental tranquility is hatred. The antidote is compassion. We should not think of compassion as being only the preserve of the sacred and religious. It is one of our basic human qualities. Human nature is essentially loving and gentle. I do not agree with people who assert that human beings are innately aggressive, despite the apparent prevalence of anger and hatred in the world. From the moment of our birth we required love and affection. This is true of us all, right up to the day we die. Without love we could not survive.”

What is patience without compassion? It seems a little pointless to try a little more forbearance without considering the point behind it all. Kindness is something everyone could do with. This world is cruel and unforgiving as it is. At least I can better somebody’s day by giving them a kind word of encouragement or even a smile.

I want to leave this place a happier one. Hopefully I can. Sometimes I focus on myself when I should be thinking of others. I think this goal will be harder to gadge. Because sometime you can never do enough. Audere est Facere
Henry Burton:
Have you had a kindness shown? Pass it on; Twas not given for thee alone, Pass it on; Let it travel down the years, Let it wipe anothers tears, Till in Heaven the deed appears, Pass it on.

In this entry I am making a vow to stop judging others. I’ve been bothered by this lately and this is the end. I do no know better, because I cannot possibly know the circumstances of others. When I notice a judgment coming up, I will pray for compassion. Also, I will remind myself that the judgment is not real-how could it be!

In the words of Gourasana:
“It is your own free will that you choose to be in either the light or in the illusion.”

I found Byron Katie’s The Work last year and have been using it quite a bit to reach this goal. I have other tools in the toolbox that also help, but the 4 questions seem to be a good way to get me to question the thoughts that bring up hurt and anger.

I have a 17-year old son going through the “You can’t tell me what to do, now give me 20 bucks and the car keys” phase (also lovingly referred to as the “Complete and Total Royal Pain in the Butt” phase around here). Having been through this with my older son, I know it only lasts a year, but it is SO annoying. I find I’m having more patience this time around, since I can see it for what it is, and I know that it will end. Or he will die in a tragic accident.