Being Compassionate

As we grow in the program. We learn to be loving, forgiving compassionate individuals. We learn to kind, considerate and compassionate to our brothers and sisters in and out of the program. This is part of spiritual growth, for no matter your faith these are all principles of all the sacred texts. These are the attributes that our God wishes all his children would display.

However there seems to be amongst us a few places when we display these attributes so well. One is the person who has relapsed once or even the one that continually seems to. This person most of all needs our compassion, love, kindness and patience. We mustn’t just shun and look down at this poor soul. We must be kind and considerate remembering “But for the Grace of God. However in the same sentence, I must emphasize that though you must not shun, despise or ignore this unfortunate. You must also guard your attentions. There is being kind and compassionate, however if the unfortunate individual continues on unhealthy ways and resists the way. You must allow them to pursue their path and let go but with love, kindness and compassion. Not contempt and loathing.
The other place we can be less forgiving is with those closest to us, especially family. We tend to take mistakes and/or lapses in judgement personally and as a personal affront and/or reflection of ourselves. Instead of just allowing them their own path of growth. We are sometimes harder on individuals closest to us, than we would others. This in turn just creates a greater separation. We need to allow those closest to us the same latitude for growth that we would grant any other. Perhaps even showing more kindness, compassion and consideration. Without enabling. Remembering in all cases that kindness and compassion does not condone unhealthy or bad behaviour. The action must still be admonished, however lovingly is the difference.
The one other place we tend not to show kindness, tenderness, compassion and patience is with self. Yes we must always judge ourselves A little harder. However this does not mean without mercy and patience. We must always remember we are but human. We must also make allowance for our humanness. This does not mean that our humanness is justification for any wrong doing and/or mistakes. Especially using humanness as an excuse to behave in an untoward manner. It just means that we must remember that we are human and not perfect. Likely never to be perfect.

Remember God does not create garbage