Compassion helps us realise that we belong to each other

If we are not compassionate, we are neither humans nor humane. Because the first and the most important trait a human being needs to possess is compassion. Compassion is a quality that provokes positive vibes and it makes one respond to others’ problems by motivating a desire to extend any kind of possible help in order to lessen others’ pain and suffering.

My definition of compassion is that it is a “compound” of love, sympathy and desire to help. And we know one who is compassionate goes out of one’s way to face any problem in order to alleviate others’ sufferings.

Such people will always feel they are not doing any favour, but only carrying out their duty which gives them immense satisfaction and happiness. US actor John Holmes expounded the quality of compassion in his inimitable words: “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” That is it. Lift the fallen up, and you can see great changes taking place not only in others’ lives but in yours too.

Even then, today, most of us usually fail to understand the magic of a kind word, a smiling face or a caring hand. We don’t understand that a small, kind gesture that we could offer could have a greatly healing power on those in need. It costs us nothing but for the needy it would be a truly godly hand that shows miraculous powers.

If the world today lacks peace and progress, it is all because of the lack of compassion that has led us to go for each others’ blood. That is what St Teresa used to say on the importance of compassion: “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”