Random acts of compassion to change humanity.

With all the chaos in the world and the fear I see and even feel as I walk the world I wanted to share an example to perhaps inspire others to live into their own hearts.

The definition of compassion that I have learned is to “feel” what someone else could be feeling, or even have had an experience of that feeling (empathy) and to go beyond that noticing. To actually have the courage to take the next step of “what do you need right now”? or “what can I do to support and love you?”

We were driving home from Texas a few weeks ago. We had left the hotel, and I personally did not enjoy their coffee (yes I am a snob around coffee) . I looked up on my phone where the nearest Starbucks was. It was 5:30 am so it was dark and I had to just follow the google map. We were in Little Rock Arkansas so I had no idea of what territory I was driving in.

We pulled into the lot and I went in. What I noticed was I was the only one there except for this man I saw in the darkest corner of this Starbucks. He was curled up with a dark coat on and stocking hat that covered most of his face except for an eye peering out at me.

At first I noticed tension in my body, got curious about that, realized it was just around being watched like I perceived him watching me.

I ordered my drink, thoughts of gratitude enveloped me since here was a homeless man being allowed the safety and warmth of this Starbucks! Then asked my own heart for guidance on what I could do.

I went over to him, he sat up straight to respond to my coming over to speak with him. I noticed he was quite smelly so that was a clue to me that he was homeless. I asked him if he would like a cup of coffee and something to eat.

He smiled sitting upright even more, and said yes! I got him his order and laid it on the table in front of him. What came out of my mouth even surprised me!

I placed my hand on his hand and looked him right in the eye. As our eyes met, I told him I loved him and that others loved him too. And I left.

Driving away I had a smile on my face that I responded to what my heart told me to do and that I had enough to share with this stranger.

I am a white woman, he is a black man……..in my heart a bridge was built.

Can we challenge each other to go outside of our tribal ways to “see” and “feel” into another with hearts open? With a simple question of “how can I be of service here”?