A little compassion goes a long way....

On his way home from work a man is attacked and is left unconscious on the pavement in front of a bus shelter. The attacker has stolen the man's wallet, watch, briefcase, jacket and shoes, and he is badly beaten and his clothes torn. A few hours later another man on his way home sees the unconscious man in the shelter and hurries by quickly while muttering under his breath: "these damn drunks, why can't they just stay out of regular people's way so we wont have to watch their misery". Some time goes by and a another man on his way home sees the crumpled over figure in the bus shelter. He slows his steps to have a quick look, but decides that : "those junkies, why can't they just get over it and get a job like everyone else has to" and carries on walking. A woman walking her dog pulls the dog close as she hurries by the bus shelter while telling her dog that: "young people have no sense of decency nowadays" and quickens her step somewhat. An old couple out on their evening stroll walk past the bus shelter without even slowing down:"there's a lot of dangerous people about, best be safe and not stop and look", they surmise as they hurry past. A bus on route stops at the bus shelter and a few people get off. None of them notice the figure crumpled up, they are speaking, texting, and have earphones , so hear nothing either. The bus driver already running behind schedule, sees the figure in the shelter, but has no time to investigate: "should probably check out the situation here, but I am already late" she thinks as she closes the bus doors and drive off.
Hours pass and the attacked man remain unconscious, and alone. A group of skateboarders pass, and one of the skaters notice the figure in the shelter. "Hey guys, chill, there's a hurt guy here" he says and the other skaters stop, pick up their boards and walk back to the shelter. "Whats up Rocky?" asks Beanie, a fierce looking skater with dreadlocks, tattoos, and both nose and earrings. "I think this guy is really hurt, I think he's been beaten, probably mugged or something" Rocky answers.
Rocky gently tries to wake the unconscious man while the other skaters try to help the man to an upright position. "Hey Beanie, call emergency, this dude is in a bad shape man" Rocky urges Beanie.
The skaters stay with the injured man until the ambulance arrives, and as the man is lifted in to the ambulance, the paramedic says: "Thanks guys, this man is seriously hurt, good thing you called us when you did, a few hours later and there would be permanent brain damage".
Does compassion have to be earned? Do people have to be "good enough" for us to show compassion? Should compassion only be extended to those who deserve it? Do we have a checklist, boxes that have to be ticked, before we see people fit to receive our compassion? He/she/they haven't tried hard enough, haven't tried all possible solutions, haven't worked hard enough, too lazy, too selfish, too individualistic, too uncompromising, too sensitive, too proud,etc.etc? Where do we draw the line, should we draw a line at all? Our goal as a society may be that every person born is offered equal opportunities and chances for fulfilling his/her potentials, but the reality(the actual state of affairs)seems to be, that it is more equal for some than others. Compassion and empathy are fundamental building blocks in a humane society and if people have to pass a "test" before they are deemed worthy of our compassion, what sort of society will we end up with?
What if it was your husband, brother, father, son, friend, lover that was attacked, beaten and left at the bus stop? Would you not like for someone to have helped him, even if he was unemployed, a drunk, a junkie etc.? If a person has to be "worthy" in order for us to be compassionate, then I worry for the future of our society. The ancients said: "love your neighbour as yourself" and although it may be an "ancient" saying, the words are as potent today as in "the olden days". So who is my neighbour? Everyone...unconditionally.