compassion in action

We have all been waking up to some troubling worldwide circumstances in the last couple of weeks and months. This can be the case on a day by day basis as we turn on the news or open the paper to peruse what dangers the media is currently reporting, and what is going on across the nation and globe. 

Regardless of the day and however terrifying the incident, it is no shock to anyone that people feel divided, hurt, and misunderstood. It is not us and them; we can all relate to this on some level.

A natural reaction to uncertainty and opposition is to defend oneself in some way to ensure a point of view is seen and heard. Unfortunately the actions taken to do so can include unnecessary violence and extremely extreme measures, affecting not only those involved but the world at large.

And so as we awake to horrifying video footage of lives being taken before our eyes, we are forced to wake up, mind body and planet. 

Of course our reactions encompass many forms of anger, frustration, sadness, emptiness, rage. This is not wrong or unwarranted, but what will our ACTIONS be?

Aside from race, sex, religion, economic class, beliefs - how will we choose to move forward based on what we really want, which ultimately boils down to some essence of peace [whether within ourselves or for the world] and feeling understood?

To me, compassion in action means fighting for peace without resorting to fighting each other. It is up to us as individuals how we choose to fight, and how we choose to use our energy in this lifetime. 

Click here to read the full post, including advice from Deepak Chopra on peace, wisdom from Rumi, and compassionate actions we can do right now for mind, body and planet.

We are in the midst of a global shift. We are experiencing extreme emotion, love and loss as individuals, a community, a nation and a planet. Rather than making it about taking sides and choosing our weapons, I encourage all of us to consider our call to compassionate action as an extended family. 

And when we react out of fear, don't we often eventually arrive in a more relaxed state, looking back to reconsider with skepticism? So why not try living in a more open state, to see clearly, and to act in an honest way based on the desires within ourselves and each other? Is it true, is it necessary, is it kind?

How do you act compassionately, even when it is the last thing you feel you might be able to do?

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