Compassion is a Catalyst for Change

Compassion is a virtue that is motivated by cherishing other living beings and wishing to release them from their suffering. Compassion is made up of two words. 'co' meaning together and 'passion' meaning a strong feeling. And this is what compassion is. When we see someone is in distress and we feel their pain as if it were our own, and strive to eliminate or lessen their pain, then this is compassion.The Dalai Lama has said, "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."

Compassion for me means being kind, understanding another's perspective or point of view, and sending out positive thoughts and feelings from one's heart to them in order to alleviate their suffering and pain. Compassion is a catalyst for change because it not only changes the person that you feel compassion for but it also changes you when you express compassion. In turn it changes the world as more people express and receive compassion, the potential of compassion is unlimited, and change really does happen one person at a time and one moment at a time. In this moment, make your thoughts positive, fill your heart with love and light, send out that love and light to your famiy, your friends, and the world.

I was blessed by being able to watch a historic conversation between two of this world's current spiritual leaders. His Holiness Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu had a live conversation via a Google+ hangout http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_HqVFEzY2U . I was both amazed and delightfully surprised by their human-ness and mischievousness, they were a joy to watch:) They have wonderful words of wisdom that you have to hear for yourself. I have always admired and respected The Dalai Lama, but now I also admire and respect Desmond Tutu. My life is better for having been a part of their conversation and seeing them laughing and joking as good friends. They are both role models and living examples of compassion. I hope you will take the time to watch the video. I might not have heard about this event if not for Google+ and more specifically +Gopi Kalliyal and +Bradley Horowitz . I actually did not hear about this historic event on facebook or twitter, only Google+ . Continue to live a life filled with light, love, and compassion :)