I think it is safe to say that life for everyone right now is not what we imagined 11 months ago around New Year’s Eve. The battles and struggles that I have dealt with this year alone have made this year one of the worst, easily. A recent thing that comes to mind when I think about people showing compassion towards me this year is when I was in a dark place earlier this month and one of my best friends surprised me with something at work every day for a week. She didn’t know the whole story as to what was going on, but she could tell that I needed some compassion and love. I think my close friends, even the few that I have, are some of the most compassionate people ever. They go out of their way so much to show love and support to everyone, not just me.
The other day there was a cold snap, and it was raining. One of the managers at work got all the outside order takers, expeditors, and cash cart people hot chocolate with money out of her pocket. I was off work today, so I brought her coffee at breakfast, tea at lunch, and a milkshake just an hour ago. I loved getting to see her smile and make her day. Compassion doesn’t even have to be about buying people something. I like to ask as many people as I can how their day is going, and genuinely be involved in the conversation. Smiling at people and telling them to have a great day is such an easy thing to do when you want to show compassion more.
I think someone that needs compassion right now would be one of my best friends. He has been in Virginia for basic training for National Guard and he gets home next week. I am going to surprise him when he gets home with his favorite meal (that he hasn’t had since March) and we are going to have a best friend’s day.