One Act of Compassion

One Act of Compassion--

"One act of compassion can change a life forever."  That quote made such an impression on me that I wrote it on an index card.  Last week when I was cleaning out my desk, I found that card laying on the bottom of a drawer.  Because I was in the "throw everything away in this drawer" mood, I almost tossed it into the waste basket.  For some reason I decided to read what I had written on that card.  I am so happy that I made that decision.

The quote is very direct.  It says one act.  Not several or many but one.  Just one.  According to the quote, we have the power to change a life by doing one thing.  That really caught my attention because in today's world more seems to be better.  More things.  More money.  More everything.  Have we missed the compassion boat by looking for big ways to change lives? Do we watch from the shore as others move forward to offer compassion?  Or do we even think about the power we have to change anything?

It seems such a small thing.  How could one act of compassion make any real difference to anyone?  And then we remember the times when others have reached out to us when we were in such need.  Perhaps they took time from their lives to offer the gift of themselves to us.  Maybe someone reached across a table and touched our hand in a gesture of love and care.  Maybe a card arrived in our mailbox with a simple message letting us know that others were including us in their thoughts and prayers.  Perhaps a complete stranger noticed our distress and offered a smile.  When we take a backward glance, we see so many times when one act of compassion changed us.  And we are grateful.

You know, compassion speaks of a gentle spirit.  One that does not always seek its own way.  One that honestly cares for those who find their way within our space.  A gentle spirit suggests that some of the rough edges have been rounded off.  Instead of a critical spirit, the person possessing a gentle spirit always finds the good in others.  And when others question, this person embraces.  No judgment.  Only caring.  Only acceptance.

Just one act of compassion.  I wonder what events will present themselves this week that will give us the opportunity to practice compassion.  It is my hope we have eyes that truly see and hearts that truly care.