“Lest we forget.” We often
hear this phrase associated with tragedy; it’s meant as a reminder of those who
suffered and the circumstances of the event.
While it’s important we remember these situations lest history repeat
itself, the phrase has much deeper significance for me. Namely, we are all spirit formed from the
same lump of eternal clay sharing a human experience. We all originate from the same Spirit and
will someday return there. Our time in
human existence is incredibly short.
“Lest we forget” is a call to remember our eternal heritage in the midst
of this human experience.
I read a story recently that brought this to the fore. It was of a businessman who walked by a
homeless gentleman selling pencils outside a subway entrance. With compassion, the businessman tossed some
money in the tin then walked down to catch the train. Before boarding, the businessman returned to
the man, reached down for a couple of pencils, then apologized telling the man
he was sorry he forgot his merchandise while commenting he recognized they both
are businessmen. Months later, that same
pencil salesman approached the businessman at a meeting. He remarked that he probably wouldn’t remember
him. He reminded him that he had
purchased pencils from him several months before. He then thanked him for his respectful
comment and told him that gesture motivated his new success.
The point to this story is not “except by the grace of God go I” but one of mutual
respect. When we see another person, do
we acknowledge the kinship we share? Do
we fall into judgment based on how they look, color of their skin, religious
beliefs, or other superficial features?
If we strip away what we see we might be surprised that the face we see
looking back at us, looks like us. And
why shouldn’t it? After all, we share
the same spiritual parents.
Humanity has become far too dependent on exterior
appearance.
We’re quick to draw
conclusions about others based simply on what we see or read.
What binds us together isn’t what can be
seen; it is our sacred heritage.
It’s
only when we look within the other person and recognize their spirit that we truly
begin to connect.
The transformative
power of human connection takes place at the heart and soul level.
When you see someone who in your judgment is ‘less
fortunate’ and feel empathy not pity you see into their spirit.
Empathy is shared where pity is not.
Empathy empowers us to reach out and see the
human – we go back for the pencils we paid for.
Pity on the other hand allows us to walk away self-righteously believing
we did a good deed by simply tossing some coins in the tin.
The fact is we are all broken in some ways. Perfection is an illusion fabricated and
perpetrated by society. We are coaxed
and coerced into believing there’s a better way if we just spend more, do more,
be more. In some cases, brokenness is
clearly visible like the homeless or sick.
For most of us, we try to hide areas we believe make us look weak,
unattractive, or vulnerable. Whether
seen or unseen, we all are broken in one way or another. When you see someone who is overweight or
disfigured in some way, do you recoil or reach out? Do you say to yourself “what a fat slob” or
does your heart respond with love? Is
the homeless man at the end of the freeway offramp a ‘lazy bum’ or a soul who
has fallen on hard times? When we jump
to judgment, it’s often a reaction against that which we fear or dislike about
ourselves. It is a mirror into our
deeper selves. Expanding empathy starts
with self-compassion. You have to love
your imperfect self in order to open your heart and soul to others.
There isn’t enough empathy in our world today. Our tendency to jump to judgment before
getting to know a person results in bias, racism, and a host of other societal
ills. I’ve learned a lot from my oldest
daughter who has dedicated her life working with homeless and disadvantaged
youth. She has helped me to remember
that every life is precious, unique, talented, and valued. My wife walks past numerous homeless on the
streets of Denver with tears in her eyes each day as she goes to work. Her heart aches while reaching out and sharing
her love’s energy to each life in hopes for something better for them.
When we can experience the pain of others, we are truly
human, truly alive. Look within as you
look out at those who suffer and feel love for them. They are your spiritual siblings. That’s what it takes to honor the authentic
spirit we were all born with
and where we all return to. It may not
be possible to lift every downtrodden person we encounter, but you can share
the love energy of your heart. They may
not return to you in this life to say thanks, but your energy of love will be
rewarded.
Duane is founder of Connect2Action and an aspiring quiet,
reflective servant-leader. He is a
curious sage in perpetual development connecting all on a journey of discovery
of our highest purpose. Follow Duane on
Twitter @connect2action and connect with him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google+. Learn more about Connect2Action by visiting
www.connect2action.com.
You can follow his blogs at: mindfulperspectives.blogspot.com and
connect2action.blogspot.com
Water lilies are one of the most beautiful flowers to behold. Floating on the top of the water with petals stretched wide open, they inspire reflection and serenity. Yet with the incredible beauty we see on the surface, we often forget its the muck they are rooted in that feeds them. Lilies thrive in conditions where their feet are rooted in mud and decaying vegetation. If it weren't for these conditions, lilies would not have the strength to flower in glory. Lilies rely on crap to survive. Not only don't they complain, they actually make the most of it. When we walk by a pond and see these wonderful flowers in all their radiance, we often forget that their source of life is clay, mud, and decay.
