Well, let’s start here: good implies value, what’s the value of compassion? Picture a world without it. That’s not a world I’d ever want to live in. From Latin, and literally meaning “to suffer with, we are compassionate when we go out of our way to relieve the physical, mental, or emotional pains of others and ourselves.

“Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human but also human to other forms of life.”

The Dalai Lama

I had my own personal compassion day*
It’s in us innately from what I have read
It opened my eyes in a different way
Moving from empathy to action instead

It’s ranked as a virtue in numerous philosophies
Noticing, feeling, and responding to suffering
In religious traditions it’s in the anthologies
Authentic actions in a world that is changing

Now let’s go back to the story’s title
An attempt to convince you of why it is good
My intent’s not a guilt trip nor to entitle
But rather to state why all of us should

Compassion’s essential to human survival
It seems we have a clear and vested interest
To life in all forms to aid their revival
Especially right now where the world’s come to rest

But here’s the best part I would like you to know
Multiple studies** have revealed great benefits
Physical and mental health goodness bestow
In short and long – terms I have to admit

I’ll leave you all with something to contemplate
You can make a difference if you change your perspective
Reduce someone’s suffering just take the bait
For you, for them for the world it’s infective

* I am studying a social psychology certificate course and the “Compassion Day” is a major assignment. On the day, amongst other things, half of it was spent at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Cancer center for my regular scans and treatment. I approached my visit much differently than usual and engaged with other patients, the ones you could tell were suffering. Sometimes just a few words, a touch of their hands, a few words in Spanish…..

** Many studies I have looked at as part of my research both business and personal and societal, including: The Ted Talk is worth a listen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compassion#Religion_and_philosophy
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/the-compassionate-mind
http://www.ted.com/talks/stephan_trzeciak_the_most_pressing_problem_of_our_time?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare