"Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men."
~Confucius
Greetings and Good Morning!☀️😃☀️
It's such a beautiful autumn🍁🍂, Monday morning. I hope all is well with you, and that you're off to an amazing start!
For this week's "Monday Motivation" post, I wanted to talk about having compassion, and the lack thereof in the world. Recently, I've had this feeling that compassion is a moral virtue that most people seem to have lost. In today's political and social climate, compassion is not something that people value anymore. We make fun of people without consideration of their feelings, or make comments daily that is borderline insensitive and offensive with no consequence. I'm also guilty of these things, and that is why, I think it is imperative to look at compassion as a reminder of how we should treat others. When deciding to write this post, I grappled with the thought of even taking on this topic because, there are instances in the media today that, I wanted to juxtapose with this topic, and I stopped. I felt that my views could easily take a controversial turn; have a negative tone; and be taken the wrong way. It's so easy to lose sight of the message, and I didn't want to take that risk. Therefore, I didn't post last week because, I wanted to give myself some time to focus on the message. I needed to gather my thoughts and context around this subject. However, I wanted to speak to this humanistic quality that we must get back to and is gravely needed in our world, and that is "compassion". I hope that you can agree. So without further delay, let's dive in to this week's post.
First and foremost, compassion, like so many other qualities that makes us human, is something that should be innately ingrained within you. It's supposed to be one of the many qualities that determines whether or not you're a good person, and, if you have the ability to feel for the misfortune of someone else. So, if you have no desire to sympathize and empathize with someone else's troubles, then you my friend, might lack compassion. I hope that you can understand me, when, I talk about the recent confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh, as well as, the sentencing of Bill Cosby. I will not "get into the weeds" of their individual cases. However, for the record, I will state that I do not believe that these men were innocent. I wholeheartedly believe the women that have come forward in both of their situations. But, I use them as an example because, the atmosphere surrounding both of their situations, were perfect examples of the lack of compassion from people in the world today.
Recently, I read an article on POLITICO.com, Kavanaugh confirmation in renewed peril after second assault claim by BURGESS EVERETT, ELANA SCHOR and NATASHA KORECKI and there was a statement in that article that made me cringe. It was when, "Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) predicted Friday his party would 'plow right through' on Kavanaugh's confirmation." - POLITICO.com. Also, hearing this comment in the news outlets made me sad. I would like to think that anyone with an ounce of compassion, would never make a comment like that. This was a comment coming from a well-known politician, and was an ultimate display of someone who lacks compassion for someone else. As a political figure, I expected more from him. Through the entire confirmation process, there was very little compassion for Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford. I wanted to believe that the entire committee had the compassion to use their power appropriately to genuinely try to get to the bottom of this situation. However, his statement, as well as, many others has helped to plant the seed of doubt, in the hearts and minds of many to the details of her story of events. During the same week of the Brett Kavanaugh hearing, Bill Cosby was sentenced. During this time, I listened to "talk radio" and the amount of people "on the fence" about his sentencing, made me shake my head. Although, that was upsetting, what really shocked me and took me by surprise, was the lack of compassion from men. Watching this play out with Kavanaugh and Cosby, has been a disaster. I've listened to countless men, and some women, say about both men, "that there's no way he could do this, he's a good man, he's been a good steward in the community, I know him, and how can these women be trusted". I believe, your opinion is your opinion, but the lack of willingness to listen with understanding and an open heart was staggering. It has been heartless, hurtful and mean to watch people, question these women's honesty to say the least. The truth is sexual violence happens, and it happened to these women. Not everyone is whom they seem to be. According to the statistics provided by, RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), "1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime (14.8% completed, 2.8% attempted)." No one wants to go through what these women have been through, and to be put through "the court of public opinion and judgement." We should have been more compassionate because, what happened to these women was not their fault. When will we change? When will we be a people with a compassionate heart? As a people and a society, we have to do better because, we truly are "our brother's keeper".
Today, aside, from the issues with Kavanaugh and Cosby, there are numerous examples of the lack of compassion for others. I think about the various social injustices that screams lack of compassion, when we open up the floor for discussion and debate. Just to name a few, when it comes to the killing of unarmed black men at the hands of police; the constant fight against racial division and discrimination; unfair housing laws and practices; the fight for gun control after the number of mass shootings that has happened in recent years; and the fight for the rights of immigrants and their unfair treatment in the face the immigration reform.
As I leave you this morning, I ask that you have greater compassion for others. Put yourself in someone else's shoes, and ask yourself, "could I walk a mile?" Someone is always dealing with something greater than your hardship right now, and it takes nothing but an open heart to be compassionate. In the Bible, Matthew 9:36 says, "when he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Let's get back to showing each other compassion. Lean not on your own understanding, and show someone your compassion with an open heart and mind. Be blessed today, go out and change the world and make it a more compassionate place to live!
Peace and Happy #MondayMotivation!
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