Where is the compassion in the world today?

His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet calls for us to be compassionate beings who love and honor our fellow man. Compassion is defined as a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering of that individual.

So, where is it? I rarely see it. What I do see is angry people full of judgment and vitriol who profess to be in touch with their spiritual side but who clearly do not walk their talk. Of course this is a general statement, but many people suffer from this dis-ease on the planet at this time.

Instead of feelings of empathy and kindness, I often see bigotry, name calling and derisive body language. People are angry as they drive their cars, stand in lines and deal with customers. Recently, there was a news article that described a bill collector who called a disabled vet and told him he was living off the government dole while others worked their "asses" off so he got money! He told the guy he should have died in the war so as not to be a drain on the population! Imagine the cruel and inhumane attitude spewed onto yourself or a loved one who has served his country and come home shattered and torn?

There are many other examples of the lack of simple kindness in the world but it would literally fill volumes of books and articles too numerous to mention. A reality check is needed whereby we all take stock of our own lives and live in grace and harmony with others, even those who we suppose do not fit our idea of how a person should live. Each day I am reminded how different we all are and in that realization I come to an understanding of the beauty of the differences. If we all looked the same, acted the same, felt the same about everything and believed in the same thing, we would most assuredly be rather boring! At the same time, I sense that we need to take the time to consider the other side of the coin and understand that we need not accept things without questioning them nor should be blindly remain true to a system of values that we have not clearly defined. There is no right way to live a life, we all make the choices that lead to the paths we have made for ourselves on earth.

One day it would be nice if everyone could agree that hatred and anger does not serve the population in productive and loving ways. Until then, practicing compassion at least with our friends and family is a good start. It might lead to a much broader view and give us the opportunity to be more like those men and women of yore whose words reflect proper and loving ways to live. One can at least hope.