Compassion

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SpunkyGirl
SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

You know what gift BC has given me??  More compassion for others than I ever thought possible, and more appreciation of the love that people are capable of.  I've always considered myself a compassionate person, but now I feel so much more pain, sorrow, understanding of what others go through, and yes, happiness than I did before this journey started.

A few weeks ago, a friend and I were walking our dogs and we came upon one of our neighbors who was outside planting.  They happen to be a male gay couple, and I remarked to this guy that I really liked this one huge beautiful plant that they had by their driveway.  This couple knows about my husband's and my health struggles, and I have always considered them to be good friends.  Well, about a week after that walk, they showed up at my front door with the plant that I was admiring!  Suddenly, I found myself considering that as wonderful as these people were, that they were not accepted by many, and can't get simple things like insurance and benefits like other couples.  That really hit me hard. 

I felt the same way about this whole immigration thing in Arizona.  All I could think about was all these poor people in Mexico that will do anything to get over here to the promise of a better life.  If it was me living in extreme poverty on the other side of that border, you know I'd be doing whatever it took to get here!

I don't know what the answers are to all of our woes.  I'm not even sure what I'm trying to say, except that there are so many good people out there in the world struggling, and that we need to try to see the world more through their eyes.  Make sense????

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited June 2010

    Yes, it makes sense to me totally.

    There are so many things in this life we can't control, but we can control how nice we are to each other.

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited June 2010

    there is so much disability and suffering..

    having a serious challenge opens your eyes.  That is so nice that they brought you a plant.

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  • Frankie_
    Frankie_ Member Posts: 422
    edited June 2010

    This too has been one of my life lesson's since my dx. I find myself naturally doing more for people including strangers, and taking the time to listen to others. It's truly remarkable how I find myself wanting to make a difference in other's life's -and actually feeling "empathy" towards other's situations. Use to think that my "little" problems were BIG problems-boy was I WRONG!

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited June 2010

    I always thought of myself as compassionate and kind towards others, but find that I have more empathy and compassion than I ever did.  I also find myself a lot more forgiving and not so quick to get upset about something that now seems so small. 

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited June 2010

    That is really touching that they gave you the plant.

    I thought I was compassionate but when I asked myself if I would do the same I didn't like the answer that came back.  I'm too selfish about my plants.  I love my garden but I need to do some more thinking about what is important in life.  I need to be more like that couple.  Giving away the things you don't care about doesn't really mean much.  Giving away the things you love for someone else's happiness is compassion.

    You've got me thinking...

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  • kimber3006
    kimber3006 Member Posts: 586
    edited June 2010

    That is really sweet about the plant.  When I really think about it, I probably would have thought, "I should get a pretty pot and give them that plant."  I would have really intended to do it.  But it probably would have gone on my to-do list and sat there for weeks until the plant was gone for the season or the gesture was less meaningful.  Since my dx I would be more likely to drop everything and get it done that day.  I'm so much more aware of how easily our tomorrows can be taken away.

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