We worry about lots of things in life. We're wired that way, and the culture has trained us about acceptable ways to live. When we step out of the mainstream, or challenge the cultural ways, we worry even more. I have learned this week that worry gets us nowhere. I have also learned that compassion gets us somewhere. More important than addressing cultural values is the act of bringing compassion into our daily lives. Compassion for our friends, neighbors, strangers, tragic victims, animals, plants, all of nature. As well, we must find compassion for ourselves. Especially the kind of compassion that allows forgiveness. We all carry negative energies/experiences that we would just rather not look at. Rather than avoid these, we can turn and face them, and then offer the compassion of forgiveness--to ourselves. My experience of doing that recently allowed me to dispense with worry--it seemed irrelevant; insignificant. I immediately found myself easing up on my life, myself. I found myself spontaneously breathing deeper and easier.
"May I live this day
Compassionate of heart,
Clear in word,
Gracious in awareness,
Courageous in thought,
Generous in love."
--John O'Donohue
