elsewhere, a pundit asked the question, ‘what would Trump do?’ the question was in regard to the many contradictions that striate our society. how we speak of charity but are so often uncharitable. among other things. the discussion engaged, my thoughts brought from there to here, for later contemplation….
“Desensitizing oneself from pain, over time, results in both an ability to ignore pain and loss of any ability to empathize with the pain of others.
Compassion is the true jewel of humanity. Often shunned.
The little voice inside, the one that cries at the silliest things, and whispers, ‘there is truth’ when you see it, hear it, read it, feel it… the niggling little voice that won’t let you be… that insists upon setting before you all the inconsistencies and aversions you use to cope with what passes for normalcy… this is the voice of compassion.
It is a painful listening, but only because to listen reminds one of all the times one has not… and shame and guilt are painful things.
Fortunately, that little voice is often kindest when we deserve most anything but kindness. And in this, insight… for compassion is a thing that does not require earning, nor payment, nor remembrance, nor some judgment of worthiness.
Compassion is a blessing, a gift. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Life is so short, and we are all so needful of it. It takes so little, truly.
We’re born into circumstances, but we are not constrained by them but that we choose to be so. Freedom is not a state of being, but a state of mind.
The syllogisms and strawmen mean nothing, remember the Wizard of Oz? Don’t ignore the man behind the curtain… love him. He is all of us. We mark our ground and crow defiance to the sky and fear more than anything to be discovered… but oh, how we wish we were discovered!
The relief of such discovery and to be safe despite it is compassion.
I am thankful to the pundits and philosophers, because they remind me of all the things I do not know. And they remind me of all the things I do not hear when I set the pillow over the mouth of that little voice.
What would Trump do? It matters not. The real question is, ‘What will I do?’ To understand the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ is my only real purpose here. Perhaps to somehow leave a question that another might find worth answering. Not unlike Adams, or any other who dares to think there is power in the expression of thought.”