I remember a few years ago my Husband and I were sitting down to lunch at a restaurant we frequented, to all others it would look like a normal scene; two people sitting down to eat, talking quietly amongst each other. The waiter who knew us well took our order like any other day. This is what others would view from the outside, but inside we were suffering, we were trying to eat although our stomaches were in knots. We were waiting for the hospital to call to let us know when to come back as my husbands father would soon pass away.
I can vividly remember thinking, wow, anyone looking at us would have no idea of the anguish we were going through. I wondered how many people I pass in a day that are suffering? How many people am I impatient with because they weren’t quick enough in the grocery line, but little did I know they were up all night with a sick child? How many people could I have said hello to or smiled at that could have brought them a moment of kindness before they turned back to their silent battle.
What does it really take to be kind, to slow down and smile, to be polite, to take time out for another human being? Truthfully not much at all.
Today, begin the habit of compassion, it doesn’t cost a thing, it won’t take up any precious time, but the effect could be limitless.
Remember, as you better yourself, you better the world.
I remember that day as clear as a crystal bell.
Behind the smiles of folks we brush throughout the day are lives not unlike ours — all of ours. The happy; the sad; the dreamers; the complainers; the lively; the hurt: all of it going on behind the scene(s) — on the other side of the faces.
It only takes a second to be sure that someone else is ok. It’s an act of little investment with a huge return. Compassion — worth more than gold and is free.
❤
This is truly heart soothing to read. I have always said that lines are made to wait in or to be broken into and patience is a virtue when someone is counting out their pennies.
Thanks for the comment James. I remember one day I was standing in line at the grocery store and the teller was really slow and out of it, people were starting to get impatient, I asked her how her day was going and she burst into tears because her dog had just died. Most times we never know what is going on behind the human wall.