Want to feel better about yourself? Try compassion.................

For many of us, when we want some water to drink, we just turn on a tap.

For others, it is not so easy, it may involve walking for hours, and facing many obstacles.

For many of us, electricity can be had at the flick of a switch.

For others, there is no electricity.

For many of us when we want to go somewhere, we hop in our cars and drive there.

For others, there are no cars that can be used.

For many of us, home is a place of comfort and safety.

For others, home is temporary shelter offering temporary safety.

 

For many of us when we are hungry, we choose what we want to eat.

For others, food is scarce and not a matter of choice but of availability.

For many of us, when we need a doctor we make an appointment.

For others, access to a doctor may be out of reach; financially and/or geographically.

For many of us, civil unrest and war is something we hear about on the news.

For others, it is an everyday reality.

For many of us, to express our opinions freely and without fear, is a given.

For others, to express their opinions may cost them their lives.

 

Perhaps,

the next time you pour yourself a fresh glass of water from the tap,

remember those who can't.

The next time you turn on the light with the flick of a switch,

remember those who can't.

The next time you are driving in your car to get to your destination,

remember those who can't.

The next time you relax in your home of comfort and safety,

remember those who can't.

 

The next time you choose what to eat,

remember those who can't.

The next time you make an appointment to see your doctor,

remember those who can't.

The next time you hear of civil unrest and wars,

remember those for whom it is an everyday reality.

The next time you freely voice your opinion,

remember those who can't.

 

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”  
(Albert Einstein)

 

How amazing it is that we need not wait another day, but that we can begin today to extend a hand of compassion

to someone in need; a sister, a brother, a father, a mother,

 a friend, an acquaintance, a neighbour, a stranger.