Compassion

I met with Lisa at The John Howard Society yesterday. Our conversation really got me thinking about compassion. Lately I have realized that very few people actually have genuine compassion for people. She was telling me about a letter to the editor of our paper complaining about the number of half way houses in our area and the amount of homeless people or 'beggars" on our streets. I have heard people comment also about the amount of people panhandling on our streets and complaining about a group home in their neighborhood. I find it very ironic when I think about someone complaining that we have too many half way houses and group homes, and in the same breath complaining that there are too many people "littering" our streets. Imagine if we didn't have two half way houses and the few group homes that we do have, imagine how many more people would be required to beg on the street. These group homes and half way houses are in our communities to offer help and hope to those who need it. 

 I think about how many people look at a teenage addict or teen in trouble with the law and wonder why, wonder what went wrong with their family that caused them to act this way? Where did their parents go wrong? It took me a long time to realize that my addict's problems are not my fault. Sometimes there is something within the family that contributed to the problem but most of the time, it is something within that person. I also believe that JUDGEMENT has a lot to do with it. Imagine if you were judged every day because of an illness? Imagine if you were judged every day because you felt pain and didn't know how to cope? Imagine if you were judged every day because circumstances led you to be homeless? Imagine if you were judged every single day and started to believe it yourself? If everyone around you believed that you were worthless, would you think that you are worthy?

 When you see someone sitting on the side of the street, don't be too quick to judge. Imagine if that person were you, or were your child, what would you hope that people would do? What would you hope that people would think? Imagine if a smile could offer some hope, imagine if a helping hand could help break down a wall of judgement built around that person. 

 Take one minute to think about this quote by Dr. Seuess in his book The Lorax: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not."