“Compassion in action is the understanding of a problem or the suffering of another and acting to solve the problem or alleviate the suffering. When you show compassion in action, you step outside yourself to do something to connect with and help others.” (https://blockslearning.com/wp-content/uploads/family%20resources/CL_Calendar_CompassioninAction2020.pdf)
Last year our school worked on adding a social emotional component to our understanding and integrated parts of it to help our students who seemed to have difficulty taking other’s perspectives or even being kind to others. One quarter we focused on Compassion in Action. (see above) I have really tried to keep this in my heart and act accordingly knowing that in our daily world, there are people who are difficult, rude, insensitive and other similar adjectives. This last week, I inadvertently witnessed a confrontation and quite frankly froze and was unable to intervene before it blew up. I have found myself ashamed that I did nothing to stop it until the end. I feel sad for the two participants. Neither was listening to the other. Both were being bullheaded with their opinion. One was more facile with his language and this did not help the situation. It caused pain on both sides. There are many sides to every discussion and groups of people need to work together in collegial fashion, but this incident is going to scar and be difficult to heal. What happened? Well it is too convoluted to explain and not meant to share. What lesson was I reminded about? Offering someone the benefit of the doubt and practicing compassionate listening. While I was not part of the situation, I didn’t stop it either. This week I am going to rededicate myself to remembering the benefit of the doubt and perhaps remind us all that we need to do this.
Meanwhile, Elise has been busy and sent us in a wonderful interview with Karin Slaughter and her newest book, After That Night. The book is another novel with Will Trent and does delve into rape and predators, a hard subject for many of us. There is also a new review by Elise, Dead and Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen. It can be found under guest reviews.
Let me express my sincere and honest gratitude to each and everyone of you who have been my faithful readers and followers. Thank you.
