Service is an energetic force available to all of us ~ it doesn’t require that we make a vocation out of it. I can’t think of a better time ~ at least in my lifetime ~ that the spirit of serving one another has relevance for all of us whether we identify as a helping professional, a personal caregiver or not.
Service and compassion can be felt and enacted through broad strokes or in our most intimate moments with each other. It is equally important to allow ourselves to receive acts of service and compassion and to open our hearts to the energy of these qualities as it is to offer it to others.
It only takes a moment to look around and notice the need for compassion in our world. News of tragedy and trauma can scare the hell out of us. Another youth is missing ~ another act of violence expressed ~ a worldwide pandemic has erupted. It can fill us with fear to witness it and completely paralyze us if we are intimately connected to it. When we are afraid and feel threatened, compassion is a remedy to calm our minds and soothe our spirits.
The call for compassion is equally as powerful when we catch a glimpse of another human beings’ missteps or acts of ignorance. And there’s certainly plenty of that to feast upon these days. In fact, our own shortcomings cry out for our compassionate heart.
But what is the first response you feel when the calls for compassion come through? Does fear strike your heart when tragedy visits your neighbor or friend? Even if you move past that discomfort, how does compassion express itself to you and through you?
It is a human reaction to want to turn away from pain whether it is our own or others. It can be a conflicted state where you feel both driven to comfort another out of love and at the same time run for the hills because the thought of what they are going through scares you to death.
At times, it can seem next to impossible to feel compassion for someone who is behaving in ways that we perceive as harmful or destructive. We would rather reserve our compassionate response for those we feel deserve it. What if we considered that those acting out might actually be the ones who need our compassion the most?
Harmful actions are born of pain and fear. There is no louder cry for compassion.
Are you starting to notice more expressions of compassion in the world? Are you beginning to feel the love just a little bit more? When we make the choice to turn toward the high vibrational energies of love, joy, peace and compassion, our hearts expand and our perspectives shift.
We have never seen anything like the global pandemic we are currently facing ~ at least not in our generation. This experience has been extremely challenging for most and completely devastating for others. It also holds great opportunity for connection and kindness. ~ for creativity and the expression of love and compassion.
May you look through the eyes of gratitude for any opportunity to receive compassion and to serve each other.
Another instalment in the Conscious Service Series for Helping Professionals and Personal Caregivers.