Similar to other bloggers that I have read I found that being concerned about compassion was a rollercoaster at times: The ups of feeling like I was doing the right thing and the downs of knowing that I had screwed up. After class I decided to quit grading myself and let it flow. That was when it got easier. Compassion is something that most of us are taught to have. I personally believe each one of us has an innate sense of compassion that is with us before the teaching begins. Compassion, however, is something that is incredibly difficult to model and act out on a day to day basis. I struggle daily with being compassionate, it really struck home with me when Dr. Wappett talked today about being cross with his kids at times when he gets home from work. This summer has been busy and I admit that at times I have been short with my kids as I am trying to read an article or type a blog response. It was a reminder to me that I need to slow down and model compassion consistently to my children and wife. Compassion is something that has to be attempted daily to have it become a part of one’s life. I know from my short experience with both Cohort 12 and 11 that all of you are compassionate people (in many different ways), and I have enjoyed experiencing that.
I have also been incredibly lucky to have been raised in a home with a great model of compassion. My mother has given compassion to others since I can remember, and she does it freely. She is always making a meal for a family or buying gas for a neighbor, I have seen her unplug the drain pipes of a widow in town at 9:00 at night and haul 50 pound wood-pellet bags into the house for a disabled lady across town. These examples are just touching the tip of the iceberg of what she has done for others. My dad often worries that she is being taken advantage of (I think that is a legitimate concern), but she just keeps on giving herself to others. I know that she would be embarrassed if I bragged about her in public so I thought a blog that she won’t read with people that she doesn’t know would be a good place to brag about her.
I am sure that she is proud of you too, and probably brags about her son. Sometimes people need to be embarrassed, in a good way. Having someone that is a good role model for the behavior, the life, the compassion we are talking about helps us to sit back and see how it affects the individuals around them. Just like our students need role models in their lives, there are people that have been our roles models and shaped the people we are. Compassion is something that can definitely be learned, for some it will come easier, and to all it is a work in progress.
ReplyDeleteYou know I was stressed originally about this assignment. What could I do to be compassionate to every living thing I encountered? But early this week I couldn't figure out why I had been stressed in the first place. I went into today just thinking put a smile on your face and spread that. When I encountered someone I just used my normal manners and didn't think much more about it. I believe that if we just treat each other as people, with respect and kindness than that is compassion enough. One of our articles mentioned that teenagers like to use the automated systems because it was easier to deal with. Maybe if we all offered a smile or a hello then we wouldn't prefer talking to a computer.
ReplyDeleteNice title, I always post mine before reading other blogs. Nice to know that I wasn't on a bumpy ride alone.
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