No, I am not a golden little perfect ninny. I am human, I don't always do the compassionate thing, but I want to. I want it to be second nature...no, I want it to be my initial instinct. It's more than that though. I want it to run my life. I want to be that person that lives for the wellbeing of others...and I know I can be. I know who I am on the inside, I know who I want to be, I just don't always see it in myself because I beat myself up for missing little acts of kindness I could have done, but didn't because in the moment that the opportunity arose I didn't recognize it as the compassionate and Christ-like thing to do. I beat myself up inside for not seeing in the moment the things that will make me who I want to be.
But is that in itself a selfish act? To be hard on myself for being ignorant to the needs of others? Is it selfish to want to be something that I am not naturally? Again the answer is no. I fully believe that I am that person. I just need to be more open to the world around me I suppose, I need to open my eyes to what is happening. I need to lift the veil that I am looking through and discard the blindness that I carry with me everyday. I know (thanks to the wise words of an incredibly dear friend whom I love very much) that I will never see entirely clear, there will always be a thin fog that masks the minute deeds that could mean the biggest difference to someone. I know that I will never see everything, or know everything. I understand that, and I have almost come to terms with it...almost.
My question, however; remains to haunt me...can you ever give too much of yourself to the welfare of others? I mean, we are commanded to Love one another, and told very bluntly to be in the service of our fellow man. For when we are in the service of our fellow man we are only in the service of our God. I don't know anyone who would say you can over-serve God...actually quite the opposite, you can never serve him enough. With these truths it stand to reason that we will never serve each other enough. In which case I can be comforted that as an imperfect human being, I am expected to miss things. But, I do know that by living the Gospel and consistently praying for the will and the strength to recognize the needs of others that I might come just a little bit closer than I would if I didn't possess the power to speak with my Father in Heaven.
I challenge all who read this to recognize one thing that someone might need. Just one thing, weekly, and to help them. It can be as easy as giving your leftovers to a homeless guy instead of letting them sit in your fridge for a week before tossing them, pet sitting for a neighbor, visiting someone at a care home and listening to their stories, buying one stuffed animal for a little girl in the hospital, picking up a piece of trash when you walk down the road or on campus, stop for the stray dog and help it find it's way home...hold a door open even if you have to wait five seconds for them to reach the door.
We were all told growing up to "treat others the way you want to be treated," "be the change you wish to see in the world," and on every classroom wall in a numbered list, "Be Safe. Be Responsible. Be Respectful."
So do it. I dare you. I ask you. Please, I know that all selfless acts will lead to greater blessings.
Magnanimous-proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind. Giving and kind.
Sincerely
SamanthaMarie
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