Courage to Change:
Clearly, I didn’t know what compassion was, but I knew what it was not. Compassion was not seeking revenge, holding a grudge, calling names, or screaming and throwing things in anger. Yet that was how I frequently behaved toward this person I claimed to love. For me, the beginning of learning compassion was to eliminate such be- havior.
While I still have a hard time defining compassion, I think it starts with the recognition that I am dealing with a sick person who sometimes exhibits symptoms of a disease. I don’t have to take it personally when these symptoms, such as verbal abuse, appear, nor do I have the right to punish anyone for being sick.
I am a worthwhile human being. I don’t have to sit and take abuse. But I have no right to dish it out, either.
Today’s Reminder:
I will spend more time with myself in this lifetime than with anyone else. Let me learn to be the kind of person I would like to have as a friend.
“He who would have beautiful roses in his garden must have beautiful roses in his heart.” – S.R. Hole