Action Compassion

Today was our Day of Compassion day and it honestly did not feel any different than any other day. I got up and fiddled around the house until it was time to get ready for the day. That is when my compassion kicked in. Good thing I remembered that it was compassion day or I don’t know how I would have reacted when a family member took all the clean clothes out of the dryer and left them on top of it unfolded. Now, those clothes aren’t going to fold themselves. But, I didn’t say anything. I hummed while I folded them. A happy song. I don’t mind folding clothes. Later, I was patient while I was getting ready for the day. I didn’t hog the mirror even though I needed to get out of the house first. I waited with no eye rolling or anything and it didn’t kill me. I still made it to class on time. No big deal, right?
During our class break, I went for a walk. It was nice to get out in the summer sun. As I passed people, I spoke to each person. A friendly hello, smile or asked how they were. It was fun to do more than establish eye contact. Everyone answered back and it was fun to watch their surprised faces.
After class I went out to lunch with Angie, took my mom, my daughter and my daughter’s friend. At the restaurant, we had a lovely conversation all of it positive. No trash talking at all. Just three generations having lunch.
For the rest of the day, I found it easy to go out of my way to be friendly. This is not too difficult for me but sometimes I tend to get lost in my own thoughts and become a little bit self-absorbed. I didn’t do that today. I focused on others. I smiled. I talked. I waved and smiled at the flagger people. I thanked my mom for helping out so much. I like the compassionate feeling. It is nice to escape the realities of our lives and give to others. This is something I want to use more in my classroom. We talk about and use the Virtues in school, but talking and doing are two different things. I want the kids to see compassion in action. It is a good thing and one that we can incorporate that will take little teaching time and no money. We won’t have to measure it to a standard and there is no test. The outcome will be kids and adults treating each other nicely. I like that!