“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, The Art of Happiness
I’ve mentioned it before but my Mum was very critical of me when I was growing up, she’d use phrases like ‘wet blanket’ and ‘so laid back, she’s horizontal.’ Yes, I know, she’d probably call me a ‘snowflake’ if she was still around.
But do you know what? I’m happy with the way I am. Yes, I may be over sensitive, I may think too much about stuff, I am a peace lover not a fighter. It’s taken me a long time to be comfortable with all that, but trying to change it has never worked.
Compassion
compassion/kəmˈpaʃ(ə)n noun
Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
I think this world lacks a lot of compassion. I keep on getting drawn to threads on Social Media about the COVID pandemic and I know I shouldn’t. Sometimes I find it difficult to keep my mouth shout (or my typing fingers!) But, I don’t argue or lack compassion.
I got into a conversation with someone who stated that the virus was the work of nature, weeding out the elderly and sick to improve the human race. Like a Darwinian Survival of the Fittest. I should have avoided but I found his comments cruel. No-one deserves to die, particularly someone who has a young family and contracted a chronic illness which puts them at high risk. I told him his words were unkind and he just replied that he didn’t believe there was a pandemic anyway. Yes, I definitely should have avoided. I clicked his profile, he was a gay man. I remember back in the 80s when AIDs was rife and people would say it was nature’s way of weeding out gay people. I found that despicable too. I decided not to interact with this person anymore though. I guess some people just don’t think about their comments.
I hate that fellow humans cannot show simple compassion for each other.
All That She Wants is a Little Love in this World.
We CAN fight this pandemic together. We can work together and keep it under control while carrying on with our daily life. Yes, things will need to change for a while, less interaction, social distancing, mask wearing, no overcrowding. It’s hard, but it’s not as awful as losing a loved one, and it wouldn’t be forever. In fact it could all be over a lot quicker if people would show a little compassion for others.
There are two different kind of disaster movies, those were everyone does whatever they can to help their fellow humans, including self sacrifices. And those where everyone turns on each other and fights for their own needs with not concern for anyone else.
We are facing a global disaster, if it was a movie, I know which one I’d rather be acting in.
“For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You’d be surprised how far that gets you.”
― Neil deGrasse Tyson
Compassion is Not So Hard To Feel
There is nothing wrong with caring about other people. Yes, you need to look after yourself too, but caring about others can make you feel even better.
We are all different, with different needs. I care that people can not go to work and see their friends and family. Despite the fact that I work from home and have all my close family around me at home.
I care that people are struggling to feed their families and losing their homes. I don’t want that to happen to anyone.
It even saddens me to see that those who have had fabulous weddings and holidays abroad this year cancelled. Despite the fact that I had no real plans apart from a couple of small British holidays (which were cancelled.)
My heart is broken for all those that missed hospital treatments and operations. For those that died of Cancer and other conditions that were diagnosed quickly enough.
Compassion means that I care about all these things and still believe that COVID is a big threat that should be taken seriously. I don’t think we’ve seen even half of the damage it is capable of yet. I don’t believe it’s less dangerous than flu and I think that people have become far too complacent.
So, why can’t people who are in these situations show a little compassion for those who have lost lives, who will lose lives and who have suffered greatly because of this virus. I keep getting quoted percentages which change from person to person, but percentages mean nothing to me. I care more about humanity and kindness. Plus, you can’t really evaluate percentages until the entire thing is over or under control. They mean nothing.
There is not point trying to make these people see my point of view. I don’t want to argue and fight. All that this woman wants is for us all to stand together and fight this pandemic into submission. And I believe it is possible. Plus a little compassion goes a long way.
This is my post for Blogtober 2020 under the prompt ‘All That She Wants’ you can see my other blogtober posts here.
I totally agree. The things are seen in social media, and not just about covid, are appalling and very upsetting. I try to stay off social media as much as possible for that reason.
Jo recently posted…Self Help Books About Menopause
And I thought the arguments about Brexit were bad, COVID has caused a massive rift in human nature 🙁
I have chosen to try to ignore the posts on social media, having a child with a chonic illness I found it too upsetting to see comments like that.
It’s quite awful isn’t it. I had to say something, although I really shouldn’t because people like that are just keyboard warriors who let out their frustration on others without a second thought. ….Note to self, never reply to someone with less than 5 followers as it’s obvious they are accounts set up just to ignite other’s anger. Definitely lacking in compassion.
I totally relate to your every word, it is becoming a very hostile society. Sometimes I ask myself ’where have all the nice people gone?’ let’s hope for a nicer, more caring and compassionate society. Sending love xx
The nice people are still there, never give up on them x
That’s very well said.
I have refused to be involved in the conversations around Covid. There is some nasty people out there.
I feel that we need to start fighting the pandemic together. There is a lot of people still not playing by the rules which unfair to the people like us who have stuck to all the restrictions.
Take care and stay safe x
Kim Carberry recently posted…All That She Wants – A birthday wishlist! #Blogtober20
Covid seems to suck everyone in, it’s all consuming in our lives.
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