I watched a family standing outside a coffee shop this morning. The parents too busy sorting their order to witness the majesty of compassion’s unfolding.
“Ugh – they never get it right,” the Mother scowled bitterly; just as her little one was breaking away.
Her daughter, who couldn’t have been older than 5 years old, had been watching a homeless man shivering near a street vent.
“Are you cold?” she asked, her eyes painted with worry. Silently, he nodded ‘yes’. Without hesitation, she handed him her scarf.
“You can have it,” she said. “It itches my neck.”
Just then her father turned, “What are you doing? Get away from that man.”
What message are we sending to the young hearts of today, when we encourage them to keep compassion from tomorrow? And then troubled by the declination of streets, we exclaim
“These youths today…”
We are troubled by that which we, ourselves, have designed.
Oddly enough, though we are presented these opportunities each day – its not often that we are able break free of hesitation’s hold. We have the capacity to engage our true Buddha nature, sure – though, are we willing to let it show?
As humans, we are gifted a tremendous opportunity to develop and nurture these roots of compassion. Through meditation, we can learn to extend it. Though, ultimately – it’s only through moments like this that we are finally able to release ‘self’ in service to all.
“You can have it,” she smiled, without hesitation. Sometimes the littlest of hearts have the most love to share.
In peace…
Namaste ❤️