OUTWARD Compassion
As my example of outward compassion I will again be posting a copy of a document I wrote a while ago. I apologize for the recycled information, but this story has technically never appeared on my blog, only on the forum. I think it quite perfectly illustrates how easy it is to be compassionate to others. All it takes is some time and an open heart.
I hope you enjoy!
A Sandwich and an Ear
The city I live in, Ottawa, is like many other larger cities. It has a population of homeless people that struggle to survive from day to day. I see many such people on the streets of downtown Ottawa, asking for change. I often think to myself, “Give me time and I will bring you change.”
A few weeks ago, as I was in line at a local sandwich shop it occurred to me that perhaps I should buy two sandwiches instead of one. I had some time and felt like making a little change. I walked around for a bit looking for someone who seemed like they might be hungry. On this particular day it was rather cold, and there were few people around. It is funny how when we are looking for something, it is always harder to find it. I was just getting ready to give up when I rounded a corner a second time and found a man in his early fifties with his hat outstretched and a rather nasty scab on his nose. I offered him a sandwich and asked him if I could sit down.
He seemed rather surprised at this gesture. I had two sandwiches, one ham and one roast beef. I asked him which one he would prefer and he literally stuttered over the answer. What I gathered was that he would be happy with either one, but I insisted he choose. He settled on the roast beef and unwrapped it, to take a big bite.
We ate together, quietly at first. After a couple of bites he put his sandwich aside and he began to talk. I said very little, mostly listened. I know that when I am down, I usually only really want someone to listen to me. So listen I did.
It turns out his best friend is a bottle. He introduced me to him very quickly and explained how his life now had a lot to do with his daily 8:00 am stroll across the bridge to Gatineau where he has credit at a small depaneur. He would buy himself a couple of tall cans of beer, usually on credit, but then would always pay his debts every Wednesday, when he received his allowance from his mother. It seems his mother was alive and guarding some small fortune that had been left to him. Because he can’t be trusted (his words), his mother gives him $100 a week as an allowance.
The proof he couldn’t be trusted was the inch long scab that was healing on his nose. The result of a drunken brawl from just a couple of days ago. It seems that at the shelter he stays at he has a few enemies. Men that harass him for his allowance and even beat him up. As I tried to think of anything to say, I realized that nothing was expected and instead listened with Love in my heart.
After I finished my sandwich I excused myself and wished him a good day. I told him he was a good friend and that I looked forward to seeing him again. He thanked me for the sandwich and I walked home.
Outward compassion is about identifying what someone is really asking for and giving it to them. When a homeless person asks you for change, don’t search in your pocket for coins. Offer them TRUE change.
Just flat uberly awesome 😀
The DC
Thank you. I hope it inspires you to write about your experiences with compassion. I would love a guest post from you…
🙂
this is a great post. 🙂
This is about more than compassion. You showed this man respect and didn’t ignore him (none of us like to be ignored), in fact you gave of your time in listening to his story. I suspect that he appreciated that as much as, if not more than the food you offered. Palliative care research has found that for terminally ill patients just having someone listen to their story dissolves so much of their stress and anxiety and helps them ready for their transition. Not surprising, is it? A beautiful post.
That’s it,right there,you hit the nail on the head,my friend-THAT is what I found awesome. EACH human being deserves that kind of respect,thank you 🙂
Thank you for your kind words.
Very touching. I will do that soon.
I didn’t see a “reply” icon to your reply,so I hope this is ok…
“Thank you. I hope it inspires you to write about your experiences with compassion. I would love a guest post from you…”
It certainly inspires me to BE more compassionate,LOL,but I don’t do anything unusual or way out there…I just try to be compassionate to everyone I meet (I don’t always succeed,unfortunately,but I’m growing 😉 ) IDK…Now I’m feeling all shy (a rarity for me :P). Do you have an email,or can you get mine from where I’m logged in here?
The DC
my email is tristan.nagler@alternate-economy.com
Contact email sent,my friend,to get you saved in contacts 🙂
This is absolutely lovely! Thanks for doing it, and thanks for sharing.