I am very happy to share this final post on compassion.  At the beginning of February a few good friends started the #1000speak initiative and more than a 1000 voices rang loud and proud on February 20th with their viewpoints.  I am very thankful for them and for all of my guest bloggers this month.

Lisa Thompson submitted a very thought piece here to leave us with a great parting thought, simply…. take the time to help others.  Please visit Lisa and check out her blog and then head over to the #1000speak blog to stay in the loop with the next initiative’s topic.  I happen to know what the next initiative is and I am very excited for it to be announced.

 FINDING YOUR PASSION IN COMPASSION by Lisa Thompson

We all have different qualities we bring to the world. We are each given different gifts. However, one thing is true some understand how to be more compassionate than others. Compassion can mean different things to different people however for me compassion means: giving to those that may not be able to return the favor, not judging those for walking a different path than yourself and being there for others.

Some people struggle with having compassion but I believe that everyone has this piece in them. Many of us use quotes to find the words to describe how we feel about things. Some quotes about compassion that are staring me back in the face are incredibly true:

“The true mark of maturity is when somebody hurts you and you try to understand their situation instead of trying to hurt them back.”

“When you look deeply into anger, you will see that person you call your enemy is also suffering. As soon as you see that, the capacity for accepting and having compassion for them is there.”. ~Thich Nhat Hạnh

“Compassion-Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.”

“You can’t eat beauty, it doesn’t sustain you. What is fundamentally beautiful is compassion for yourself and those around you. That kind of beauty enflames the heart and enchants the soul.” ~Lupita Nyong’o

As I read these quotes, I try to find the words to describe what I believe compassion is. I start smiling. Compassion is such a beautiful thing however the reason for compassion is so hard to wrap my head around. I do not wish to see people suffer however I do appreciate the compassion that is given around the world to others.

A lot of people have their opinions on how there is a lot of bad in the world. To a certain extent I do agree however I have seen such wonderful compassion throughout the world that I hope to enlighten you to pass on this gesture:

• I recently got to know a young woman who has given up her time to help raise awareness for a group in Africa. She has helped through fundraising, prayer and through word of mouth to help this group which is called Mother’s Milk. It is a program to provide adequate nutrition for orphaned and vulnerable babies, and thus secure life and well-being in their early formative stages of growth. I have seen with my own eyes the true compassion this young lady has had for this organization and how she continues to spread the word saving these lives.

• Or how a young man takes the time every week to visit our veterans and spend time with them. He has gotten to know their story, thank them for their service and appreciate all their efforts in securing our freedom.

• How another man spends his evening coaching little kids in basketball free of charge, so that each kid has to opportunity to stay active and follow their dreams.

• How each of my friends in some way shares compassion for each other. Either picking up the phone when another person has a bad day or drives to make sure everything is okay. Compassion for another through a hard time can really help change their outlook and get out of the darkness.

These are just a few examples of what compassion is all about. For me, I find compassion in multiple ways either through volunteering at a cause I find important, helping others through their problems or just checking in on those that may need a little nudge. I have a true passion for helping others see their true beauty and I find many of us suffer along the path to finding who we are and what obstacles we face along the way. My compassion for this area in a sense, words cannot describe how much I want to help those suffering with self image.

Everyone has a little compassion in them, however feeling compassion and having an action behind it, is more important. Now- what are you compassionate about? Take the time to help others.

Lisa Thompson has a Communication/ and Public Relations degree from Michigan State and currently works at a Fortune 500 company. Lisa is a runner, a sports fan and has a passion helping others. Follow her at @lisathompson032 or her blog at www.selflovebeauty.com.