This Valentine's Eve I am purposefully focusing on compassion rather than the February 14 hearts and cupids type of romantic love. The dictionary meaning of compassion is a "feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by suffering or misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the pain or remove its cause" - The truth is, we are so inundated by images and stories of devastation and pain that it sometimes causes us to pull our knees to our chest, wrap our arms around our legs, tuck our heads into fetal position, and rock ourselves for comfort. I think we all need to do that sometimes.
Once we have grieved a little bit, it is time to see again - and to stand shoulder to shoulder with the hurting and say, "your hurt is to be taken seriously" - and that is why we showed up today.
To each of you practicing this radical form of criticism, Happy Valentine's Day!
Photo Credit: Esther Havens
