Compassion

... why is it so hard?

News flash, there is no need to agree with someone to have compassion. You really don't have to give up your soul, your first born, your social securtiy number and/or your beliefs. Really. One has the right to be compassionate and opinionated all at once. That's a really balanced person, who is not threatened by different opinions.

I was going to write a post about it, about my journey to get to compassion when I don't want to give it and let go of 'being right'. And it is a journey, sometimes two steps forward, one step back. But I think I'll do quotes instead... then the stones thrown can be at famous people, perhaps some very much admired.

The thinkers of Europe are your cup of tea -Plato:
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

Maybe you don't dig European philosophers. Let's try a comedian. Dave Barry:
A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.

Think Dave Barry is an ass? How about a religious politician? Jesse Jackson:
Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.

Still not finding a kindred soul? How about Booker T. Washington:
One man cannot hold another man down in the ditch without remaining down in the ditch with him.

You dislike all of them? Okay. How about a Chinese philospher? Confucius:
There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life - reciprocity.

Perhaps you have a thing against Jesse, comedians, politicians, European philosophers and Confucius. Okay. Whatever floats your boat. What about the Dalai Lama?:
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

Or are even the words of the Dalai Lama just another pile of crap?

We CAN retain our beliefs, our opinions, and still have compassion. It's really okay to do both simultaneously.