Compassion, It’s Root and Transformative Power

The body, is it safe?

If you grew up in a city you possibly have had the shock of strangers expose themselves. In parks. Or subways. Or alleys.

Discuss. Fear. Anger. Shame. These were the emotions I felt back then. Now, as an adult, I’ve come to understand that society had failed them. But how to explain this? It isn’t a #metoo story, or is it?

Today both the photo above showed up on my Facebook feed. Also today an article crossed my path. Not on Facebook. Serendipitous and liberating. A quote form the article explains my logic more clearly than I could. “Often we respond to oppresive behavior as if it’s located within the individual, rather than it being linked to broader systems. Understanding the social roots … makes us aware that the problem is larger than any individual and that we are all implicated in the structures that cause the problems. This provides us with the ability and responsibility to work toward transforming the roots.”

This is the work that matters. How can we transform our personal ways and start compassionate ripples so our society can evolve to help those in need?

Engaging with the Facebook post was my first attempt to transform my own ways. Why be silent when othering happens. The word weirdo isn’t inclusive. It harms. My silence would have perpetuated. harm.

This confession, this story is my second step and ripple of compassion. I know I’m not alone, that others have found ways to forgive those that have harmed them. Please share your story with the tag: forgivethem.