A small text document sits always at the top left of my computer screen. It shows me a blessing written by the Irish poet John O’Donohue.
May I live this day compassionate of heart…
Our pastor had a sort of lottery bowl at the front Sunday. It contained cards for us to draw at random. Referring to the star that guided the Magi, these were to be our “Star Words” for the year.
I drew Compassion.
I try to keep a clean desk (Even though Albert Einstein supposedly quipped, “If a messy desk is the sign of a disordered mind, of what is an empty desk a sign?”). I have placed the card on the desk lamp as a reminder for the year.
When someone does something foolish (even me) or stupid or even evil, it’s a reminder that there is some part of that someone in need of compassion. Perhaps even my small thought of compassion reflects on me as a reminder to also hold some compassion for my stupidity.
When an interview turned somewhat political and the interviewer asked executive coach Jerry Colonna how he could be compassionate toward the personality of Donald Trump, he replied, “I see an injured little boy trying to live up to his dad’s expectations, and I feel compassion.”
Where can we look beneath the surface and offer compassion today? And tomorrow?
(Yes, I digress from exploring the letter of James—but I think he’d approve.)
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Faith Venture 
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