40 Days of Compassion

Meet Fred

So day 3 has come and gone and I must say, this structure of 40 days, a nightly blog, and working with a community of folks on the same journey, definitely keeps me accountable of not only writing these blogs, but also keeping the daily meditation of compassion.

Case in point. I was walking into the 7/11 today to grab a coffee with a  6” subway in a bag that I was going to eat later. There was a strange dude hanging outside the mart mumbling words and pacing back and forth and pretty lit on the mad dog 20/20. As I left 5 min later he hit me up with, “Hey, you got any change to help me out?” I struggle with giving money when the person is obviously boozing it up, so I told him that I did not have anything. It was a reluctant move since I usually like to do something for these guys, but I just was not thinking that it would have gone to the right place.  But as I got to the 10th step away I thought of our 40 day journey and knowing I had a commitment of compassion to act on, I turned around with reluctance, went back to the mumbling man and asked him if he wanted some food.   He said no and said that he, “needed money for the special medicine.” I was at the end of a break from rehearsal and I had to get back so I bounced without being able to help the dude.

Why am I writing about this incredibly boring story of me basically not doing anything to help this guy? And how does it relate to compassion?  I guess because I stopped and went back. And if I stopped and went back, the next time, I might stop and go back and strike up a conversation. And the time after that, I might convince him to let me take him out to lunch and learn his story. And then after that, befriend him and maybe be able to offer some sort of assistance and learn tremendously about this man’s plight. He could no longer be just the proverbial drunk mumbling guy outside the 7/11, but Fred, the out of work mechanic who loves the Dodgers and knows every player and stat, and his wife left him and has been on the streets for 3 years with a mental disorder that has gone untreated. Now that’s a story and the door is open for a friendship, trust, and maybe guidance to some help. But this potential relationship and assistance can only happen if I decide to go back…every time I walk by one of these dudes.

What is compassion? Well so far for me, and it is only the 3rd day, it has been about feeling and acting on the beautiful connection/energy/spirit/life force that flows through all of us. The more I tear down the barriers I have placed between me and the rest of the world, the more peace and beauty I find. Instead of the slow Honda driver in front of me on the 405 being the frickin dillhole that can’t drive himself out of a paperbag because he is making me late, he becomes a fellow driver who is probably super cool and wishes to drive slow, which causes me reflect on the fact that I should have left earlier so I am not freaking about about his lack of speed. Ahhh, the second choice is so much more relaxing and less stressful.

As for Fred, compassion tears down the barriers set up that relegate him to being mental drunk #274 that is in front of a 7/11 that might die on the streets without anyone knowing. He is also not a feel good case that is need of some  kid to give him a sandwich to feel better about a 40 day journey. Fred is a fellow brother in this global community that bleeds the same color blood and is connected to you and I somehow, through spirit or energy, and that fact alone deserves a bit more attention than just an offer for a sandwich.  Of course, Fred might not want anything to do with me, but the attempt to connect, to learn, to engage, is a right step in tearing down the barrier and opening the door to healing…and not just for Fred, but for ourselves as well.

Lots to learn on this journey. Keep on reflecting and blogging campers. Compassion challenges us to get to the bottom of her!

Peace,

CA