Compassion – Be The Change You Want To See
Posted on November 30, 2010 by DFHS Article Team
Your efforts in showing compassion can help to educate and inspire others to be more open-minded. Whether you express compassion in small ways or volunteer your time to an organization, your efforts are well-worth your time and energy.
Your actions speak more loudly than your words, especially in situations that sometimes incite arguments or resistance to change. Rather than focusing on convincing others to change their behaviors, you can choose to let your actions serve as a powerful example of compassion in action. Although, Martin Luther King worked to lead a nation toward compassion, his example can be emulated on a smaller scale.
In all your interactions with others, set a positive example by demonstrating the behavior you wish to encourage in others. Mahatma Gandhi said it best, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” You can quietly and without saying a word, be the motivating force that inspires long-term change in your areas of influence.
Your willingness to accept and embrace others for who they are, regardless of the differences between you, places a greater emphasis on your similarities and encourages others to do the same. Expressing your compassion and acceptance for others can foster positive changes that make the world a better place.
Non-violence is the foundation in compassionate living. It means to avoid all violent acts and motives. In a conflict to be non-violent does not mean that you submit yourself to unacceptable behaviors. Mahatma Gandhi demonstrated the power of non-violent action in his struggle for freedom from the British Empire. He said that only cowards take arms. Non-violent activists derive their power from truth, justice, inner conviction and compassion. The principles of non-violence have been demonstrated by many, whom we can all emulate.
• If someone lives a life of non-violence, he need not perform other religious acts because non-violent living itself is the highest form of being religious. Thirukkural, The Tamil Instructional Book of Poetry). 300 BC
• ‘I respond to those who do good to me by goodness. I also respond to those who do evil to me by goodness.’ -Lao Tzu Birth between 600 and 300 B.C.E.
• ‘Hatred cannot be conquered by hatred. Hatred can only be conquered by compassion.’ -Lord Buddha, born in B.C. 560 and died at the age of eighty in B.C. 480.
• ‘If somebody slaps you on the left cheek turn your right cheek also.’ -Jesus. This concept is often misinterpreted to mean, ‘Allow others to continue to harm you as they choose.’ However, if we consider Jesus’ entire life’s teaching, you will correctly interpret it to mean, ‘Do not react in the same violent manner. Turn the other cheek and walk away.’
• ‘There is no such powerful weapon than Compassion’ -Mahatma Gandhi October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948.
By Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dorothy_M._Neddermeyer,_PhD
http://ezinearticles.com/?Compassion—Be-The-Change-You-Want-To-See&id=840383
Facebook Comments:
