I’m not sure what tone I want to use for tomorrow’s 1000 Voices of Compassion. Earlier this week, in my 10 Things of Thankful post, I tried to explain my absence since October, although I explained that it was a personal problem, I also added how very sad it was to listen to the news during the year-end.
I am a collector – I gather information, conversations, sayings, stories, lyrics from songs, verses from poems… recollections that can help me make sense of any event, or comfort me during a time when it is needed. These so-called belongings are tucked in notebooks, diaries, and memories.
Today I read a post over at An Honest Sinner called Compassion Is Not Only a Noun 1000-speak. Ms. Sandy Ramsey explains Compassion should be a verb; regardless of what Merriam-Webster’s definition is on paper. Compassion is an act!
This reminded me of a saying that I often heard growing up; truthfully it has nothing to do with compassion or maybe it does, however I am mentioning it and am reminded of this saying because there really isn’t a precise translation to this Italian saying. The saying is Bella Figura – I even have a blog called Bella Figura, but I am not here to promote the blog, I can’t, nothing is written on it – just another item that I have tucked away.
Consequently, Bella Figura translates as Nice Figure – which doesn’t have the same meaning when used. Growing up I would hear the adults use it when a gesture was made. When my mother’s sister passed away in Italy – even though we didn’t have a funeral here in New York, everyone we knew flocked to our home to be with my mom for Bella Figura’s sake. I was taught because of Bella Figura we should always bring something to a friend’s home when visiting. I always felt that karma was also linked to this adage.
I describe it as a gesture not a behavior, an attitude! Why am I speaking about this in a post that should be about compassion? Because ….
Compassion is a gesture…not a behavior
Compassion is not pity – but can be vulnerability, which in my opinion is really bravery.
I believe to show vulnerability, whether I am the beggar asking for help or the giving human, we both display a moment of courage.
I am very sad for the human race – I think we all forgot something important. Moreover, I am not sure what it will take to remember. So much has happened, so much is still happening.
Truthfully, when will “Compassion” trump “An eye for an eye”?
Why are we not horrified or ashamed?
Throughout history, there has always been evil lurking in the shadows…less fortunate, violence, and indecent acts to so many societies.
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I think we have made many mistakes, I feel that it is easier to breed hate than to instill compassion- I am not sure where the hate comes from?
FEAR?
EGO?
PRIDE?
IGNORANCE?
Many, many years ago, back in the day of the VCR and renting movies, I came home to find my husband watching a movie about a group of soldiers given the task to kill Hitler. I don’t remember the movie and neither does my husband; I walked in right at the end of the movie, which was quite interesting, when the movie ended, the screen turned black and this is what we saw:
“Stand tall all you men for you have killed the beast… but the bitch that bore him still lives!” Anonymous
The bitch is not a woman, but represents hatred.
Compassion destroys hatred!
If you would like to join in with the 1000 Voices for Compassion, we’d love to have you.
There is a Facebook group. Folks who tweet can use #1000Speak. Link a post through one of several hosts, including Lizzi and Yvonne, the two bloggers who started this whole thing in the first place.
Compassion destroys hatred!***
YES!! Yes! With Compassion, we can transform the universe.
When will that eye for an eye thing end? It's not nice. Everybody loses. When, indeed, will compassion trump? Wouldn't it be wonderful to see it in our lifetime?
Beautiful post! And I agree compassion is an act, an attitude, which all of us need to adopt…practice!
Two things you wrote really struck me: the expression "bella figura," which I now love and which I totally agree is linked to karma. But also that vulnerability is bravery. I teach my daughter that you can't be brave without being scared first, and I think that's the same idea. If we could all be brave enough to show our vulnerability, the world would be a better place.
Thank you
I know – it would be wonderful – Thank you
Thank you
thank you