A couple of weeks ago I was busy shopping in town. As I walked through the square, I saw a lady approaching a homeless man who was sitting at the corner of the local shopping centre. She said hi to him, and gave him a sandwich, cup of tea, bottle of water and a snack. I thought: What a beautiful gesture! It made me smile and very compassionate towards the homeless man, but also very loving towards the lady who performed this random act of kindness. It really touched my heart in an incredible way.
I often find, that many of us are so busy all the time. We don’t really pause and look what is going on around us. We became very drawn into our own little realities. Sometimes, when I visit big shopping centres or supermarkets, I notice people rushing around, looking stressed out, even angry with others being in their way. We sometimes think the world only revolves around us. I must admit, I get stressed out too, and others may perceive me this way from time to time. Well…who isn’t? We are busy, we are tired, we might have had enough. That’s understandable. But feeling this way more than we should, can be very exhausting. When I find myself there, I know it’s time to make a new choice. Its time to go home…to my true self. I know my true nature is being loving and compassionate, and it is my responsibility to express that in the world.
Practising Love & Compassion
There are many wonderful ways you can become more loving and compassionate towards others today. Here are few suggestions:
Smile- When you give someone a genuine smile, they will often smile back. It can even be the most beautiful thing they’ve seen that day. Smile more.
Listen- Do you find yourself talking more than you should? I am guilty of this myself. Pick up a phone and call your friend. Visit an elderly family member you haven’t seen for a while. Ask them how they are, and really pay attention what they have to say. Listen carefully what is going on in their life. Stephen Convey said: “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intend to reply.” Don’t become one of those people. Learn to be a good listener. People really appreciate it.
Relate- If somebody makes you angry or upset, it can be almost impossible not getting upset. Very rarely, but occasionally, I get some unnecessary comments on my social media feeds, which upset me. In those moments, I remind myself, that everyone is on a different stage of this journey called life, and this is the way they choose to express themselves in the world. This is not their excuse, this is the compassion I have towards them. I forgive them and I move on. Love and compassion always serves me well.
Offer help- If you see someone struggling, offer them help. Don’t just pass them by or ignore them. Some people really struggle, and maybe your random act of kindness can make a big impact in their life, and create a wonderful shift they’ve been longing for.
A thought to keep!
Being loving and compassionate is your true nature. When you choose otherwise, take a deep breath, forgive yourself, and remind yourself who you really are: A loving soul that came here to share love, light and teach others how to do the same.