In the early days of GSM we talked a lot about the differences between sympathy and compassion. Some would argue it's just semantics... and I can see their point. I would probably lose that debate... I'm not an English major. But I believe there is a fundamental difference in how these words are lived out... there's more here than Webster's telling us.
In my humble opinion...
Sympathy, is an automatic emotional response to awareness. Compassion, is a conscious and deliberate physical response... or action. You could look at it this way. Sympathy is the door to compassion. It compels us to do something. It urges us to respond. The problem is as long as we stand outside the door, we haven't made a difference or changed anything.
Sympathy is easy. We feel good about feeling bad. It helps us ease our conscience.
Compassion on the other hand requires more of us than lip service and pity.
So, why do we settle so often for being merely sympathetic and not compassionate? I'm just as guilty as anyone. By just looking at my own life I would say there are three main road blocks to living a consistently compassionate life.
1.) Fear (which is usually rooted in pride)
I think the hardest part is just making a decision to step out... over coming our fear. It's not as hard as we sometimes make it out to be. You don't have to start a non-profit to be a compassionate person. It could be as simple as giving someone a hug, a helping hand, or introducing yourself to the "loser" at school that no one wants to be associated with. It's really that simple.
2.) I don't feel capable of making a difference, or I'm not sure how to respond
All compassionate acts make a difference. Every action has a reaction... you just might not see it. And once again, you don't have to do anything incredible. For example... some new friends of ours Yvette and Erica (who are AWESOME!) raised almost $1,000 in one night by going to the movies... a movie called Call and Response... they responded before they even saw it! Read about it for yourself.. http://dollybellamy.blogspot.com/
3.) I just don't care enough
We need to get over ourselves. I believe a life of compassion will not only make the world a better place, it will bring us joy and a life with little regret. I don't know about you, but the things I regret most in life are the times I could have made a difference and decided not to.
Turning sympathy into compassion is a CHOICE... and it's a choice that only YOU can make.
Compassion=Action,
-Travis
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2 comments:
I'm with you Trav! Thanks for inspiring Erica and I to just do something... instead of leaving it for someone else... Compassion is as much a decision as it is a feeling! (or, Compassion without action is just sympathy!)
thanks for sharing Travis. ditto my friend, ditto. looking forward to your Nashville pit stop. It sounds as though your time out west has been renewing and inspiring. Look forward to hearing over a cup of coffee.
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