Thought For The Day – Wednesday May 1^st 2024 

The quotation above is from The Buddha.

An important attitude and practice in life is compassion.

Compassion is defined as an empathetic understanding of, and very kind actions to, a person’s feelings.

Empathy is the attitude, compassion is the action.

Compassion is a vital part of our humanity. It involves being with others and not walking by, not turning away and not caring.   Compassion keeps us human, humble, good, kind, loving and thoughtful.

In compassion, we put ourselves in the shoes of someone else, thinking of their feelings, treating others as we would wish to be treated ourselves.  We never over-write or talk over someone else’s sincere feelings with our own, for listening is a key quality of compassion.

The word compassion literally, from the Latin, means “to suffer together”.

Compassion is not just about caring for others, it is also about being kind to ourselves, practicing self-compassion and self-care.

On Tuesday 30th April, almost one year after the coronation, King Charles III, who is being treated for cancer, visited a specialist cancer centre in London with Queen Camilla.  This was King Charles’  first major public engagement since diagnosis and treatment.

King Charles, who has become Cancer Research UK’s new patron, was  shown the innovative medical technology at the Macmillan Cancer Centre at University College London Hospital.  King Charles showed compassion to patients, sitting alongside, encouraging, talking with and listening.  Heart speaks to heart.

We always keep in our thoughts and prayers King Charles, the Princess of Wales and all are experiencing, and have experienced, very challenging physical or mental health situations, and all who care, love and support.

Yesterday, King Charles also showed compassion in very deeply thinking of a fourteen-year-old boy, who was killed yesterday in London on his way to school, and his family, and the people affected by, and who suffered, a violent attack beyond words.

May we, in our lives, always show compassion, and give kindness, hope, light, love, positivity and support to others, especially those suffering challenges and loss, guided every day by the wonderful people that always inspire us to be, and do, good, and who we always remember.

Pictured above: King Charles holds hands with patient Asha Millan.