Tag: compassion

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Compassion counts

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Every single person you encounter could use some compassion and patience. Every difficult experience is an opportunity to ask yourself what truly matters in the grand scope of it all.

Julia Dima

The last couple of years seem to have eroded some of the kindness and compassion that I think used to be evident in our society. And if you are an elderly human, there are times when it seems to actually have vacated and left the building.

The pandemic shone a difficult spotlight on elder care and there was much lip service as to how we as a collective society were going to improve the lives of seniors, especially those living in congregate care. Standards have been developed but true to the economic politics of the day, are just voluntary. So much adieu about nothing, I guess.

I help my elderly mother several days of every week do her grocery shopping, make trips to the bank, and post office and anywhere else she might need to go. One of the sad truisms of these experiences is that she is slower, less steady on her feet, and needs an increasing amount of assistance to support her desire to live on her own. All a bit complicated by increasing memory challenges that may or may not be considered just a normal aspect of aging.

But it is exasperating to watch people in those places we are doing routine kinds of things, become frustrated and impatient as my mother journeys through various activities.

The young man who fidgets and sighs and looks so angry when she searches her wallet for her bank card to pay for her groceries. The older man who makes his annoyance crystal clear when she is getting out of my car in front of a building and takes a fair length of time navigating snowy walkways because he is in a furious hurry and just needs to get by her. The woman with a screaming toddler who is likely managing her own unique situation, but then rudely pushes past and knocks my mother and her cart a few inches from where it had been. Or people who for some reason think my mother can no longer communicate and talk to me instead of to her.

We have probably all had those moments. But really, what does one save in terms of time by behaving this way. And what does it really indicate about our society, our compassion and caring for our elderly seniors. To be in the winter season of life, brings many difficulties, losses, and at times, insurmountable problems. Being able to enjoy the community that you likely helped build over ones lifetime, should just go without saying.

So taking an extra moment to smile, to show patient body language, accepting facial expressions, or to bite your tongue if you have nothing nice to say about a senior who needs more time and space, becomes something we should all try a little harder to achieve. Speak to a senior using eye contact just like you would to anyone else. And really, when you think about it, most of us will be in that place of our lives at some point.

Compassion towards others, especially our seniors, really does count.

Be safe and well!!

It doesn’t cost anything to be kind

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If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.

If you want to be happy, practice compassion

Dalai Llama

As we approach the one year anniversary since the pandemic began, the voices in our community have become louder and at times, difficult to listen to. We have all had to face our internal reactions to the impact that this virus has had on our lives. And as a general guideline, reactivity tends to come from a place of fear or a need to exert control over some aspect of our lives.

Across the globe, we are seeking hope and imagine positive outcomes with new vaccines. And at the same time we seem to be exposed to constant anger and frustration lurking at every turn about a myriad of issues. It seems that many places around the globe are coming to grips with the realization that public health guidelines will need to remain in place for some time to come. Loosening restrictions won’t occur overnight and will likely be scaled back at a snail’s pace.

We watch, we listen, and we interpret information that is constantly shifting and changing. It seems at times that the learning curve about this virus and what we need to do about it, continues to become steeper and steeper.

All the while, we need to recognize that every person has their own way of managing through this experience. If we find ourselves constantly judging the actions and behaviours of others, we are likely not paying that much attention to what we are doing. Whether we realize it or not, we are all in this together and healing comes from a place of reflection and compassion.

Many of us may be concerned about the financial, emotional, and social costs to this pandemic, but there is one critical option available to each of us. And there is no cost to it whatsoever.

And that is to internalize and practice kindness. Kindness, both in thought and actions towards others as well as to ourselves, is free and comes without strings attached. Instead, when we come to the people, events and circumstances in our lives from a place of kindness, it generates positive actions which allow us to move forward in good ways.

And wouldn’t it be much easier to navigate through this next year if there was more kindness circulating in our world. Be kind to yourself. And be kind to others.

Stay healthy and safe!

Making a difference, one decision at a time

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One person can make a difference, and everyone should try

John F. Kennedy

Imagine if our world was led by leaders today who encouraged each of us to make a difference like strong leaders have done in the past. There has never been a more urgent need around the globe for strong leadership encouraging compassion, collaboration, and co-operation. We are surrounded by crisis and chaos and need to think of others during all of our day to day interactions.

Misinformation abounds and we need to carefully reflect on where our information originates from and consider the influence it has not only on ourselves but on others prior to sharing it.

When we put our personal needs and desires above the health and safety of others, it will eventually circle back to hurt us. Tragically, it may harm those you care about as well. Treat everyone in the same manner in which you would like to be treated. Globally, our lives depend upon a collective push forward to follow the golden rule.

Stay safe and healthy!

Navigating the New Normal

There was a point in this pandemic a couple of weeks ago when there were a plethora of examples of heartwarming and touching gestures that showed us how humans can connect and care for one another. From firefighters driving their trucks to the home of a child on his sixth birthday to provide celebratory greetings, to a quartet playing concertos outside a seniors assisted living facility to cheer locked in residents.

Windows filled with Hearts. Sidewalk chalk messages of hope and encouragement. Banging on pots and pans at the 7:00 p.m. shift change in healthcare settings. Good news stories have served as an antidote to buffer us from the information being shared about the pandemic 24/7 on our news channels. Stories of human compassion motivate us to stay the course for the common good.

It has been heartening to see some politicians behaving in the interests of their constituents and not playing politics at this chaotic and challenging time. Governments around the world have released resources to help people from many walks of life. And people across the globe were staying apart in order to help one another stay healthy and safe.

Countries were sending support and aid to one another and for a short period of time, it seemed as though sensitivity and decency was the silver lining in what we have been collectively experiencing. As the world moves forward to re-opening, it seems as though we are now running a three legged race. A few positive steps forward, with some jolting steps back. We have seen a mix of both the best and the worst forms of human behaviour.

Citizens living in one of the most heavily impacted nations demanding the lifting of restrictions by using assault weapons to reinforce their point on the steps of a legislature building. Another set of finger pointing exercises, veiled racism, and the spread of political conspiracies have emerged to take the place of humans simply wanting to help one another. Criticism, and harsh indictments without real substance, threaten our ability to treat others as we would wish to be treated.

Moving into this new normal means collectively we need to be strong in order to persevere in the face of selfishness, power mongering, and blatant insensitivity. Our health and well being depend on our willingness to place the simple act of caring for one another above politics, power, and greed. Let’s stand strong in the face of all of these distractions so we can get through these trying times together. Every action that you take to look after yourself as well as others is where our real power lies. Please make it count.

Stay healthy and stay safe!