“We will not just say, "I love him very much," but
instead, "I will do something so that he will suffer less." The mind
of compassion is truly present when it is effective in removing another
person's suffering.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step: The Path of
Mindfulness in Everyday Life
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“You are in my thoughts and prayers”
“I am thinking about you!”
How often we mouth
In all sincerity
Such words of compassion
We talk about our concern for the poor
Our anger over oppression and injustice
Our empathy for those whose hearts are broken
And there is true power in our concern
But ultimately compassion is action.
Compassion moves.
It doesn’t stand still.
Compassion becomes mercy
It becomes forgiveness,
And generosity
It becomes more than just a sympathetic word
It becomes presence
And kind action
Stomachs filled
Clothes given
Housing procured
Kindness is a tender gift from one soul to another
A momentous gesture that eases suffering
And can never be erased
From the heart of God
