By: Sheena Murray

Have you ever come across a relative, a friend, a neighbour or even a stranger when, having heard their story you felt moved to help, to make their situation better, to alleviate their suffering and then you follow through and actually take action to do so?  That’s your compassion speaking!

It’s that innate compass that guides us to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper, their listening ear, their shoulder to cry on, their encouraging voice, their light in the darkness, their life-vest, their ray of hope.  It’s the connecting rod that transcends colour, class, creed and cultures and motivates us to ‘do the right thing’ because we’re all together in this awesome circle called life.  So, next time when you’re out and about, instead of passing each other like ships on a starless night, pause, be present, be centred and listen not only with your ears, but with your heart, because sometimes all it takes is a smile through your eyes to reveal the hallmark of humanity, to lift the spirit of the broken-hearted and – perhaps – to save a life! 

As quoted by the Dalai Lama “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.  Without them, humanity cannot survive.”  So, remember, even amidst the clutches of a ravaging pandemic, masked mouths and noses and physical distancing, there is always space for us to reach out, for our compassion to shine through so that we can make a difference.  Why not start TODAY?