This... 20 minutes earlier... You don't know what someone else is dealing with... Be kind. We never know what people are going through. Give grace and mercy because one day your circumstance could change and you may need it yourself!
Quite a story. It should be made into a Hallmark movie. A bit much, really. Back in 1996, a friend of mine and his wife adopted two children (siblings, boy and girl) from Central America. The kids were around 5 or 6 years old. The crooked people in charge of the adoption agency in Central America did not disclose the mental state of the children or that both parents were crackheads. The kids came to the States. My friend and his wife were on cloud nine. The kids were super quiet. My friend and his wife didn't speak a word of Spanish, so I was at their house a great deal, just trying to help with communication. There was something about the boy that got my attention. I just couldn't put my finger on it. Well, the boy started to get up in the middle of the night to start fires indoors. My friend and his wife had to take shifts to keep an eye on him. After months of therapy, more watching, a ton of paperwork, a chunk of cash and a lot of tears and hurt, the kids were returned to Central America. I admire people who adopt and embrace children. They have big hearts. They take awful chances with some of the children they adopt. Fortunately, there are plenty of happy stories.
Ed Davidson Such an important reminder! We often don’t know what others are going through, and a little kindness can go a long way. Practicing patience, grace, and empathy can help us connect and support each other. You never know when you might need that same understanding.
I just shared with my daughter recently about learning to be patient while driving behind someone who is driving far less than the speed limit on the road. You don't know their state of mind and most times when I overtake, I discovered they are elderly people who are trying to be careful on the road.
I learned a lot about grace when I was in law enforcement... it was very humbling to see how hard some people had it.
It’s not only 20 minutes earlier, it’s one’s whole life.
Walk a mile in someone’s shoes! Words to live by. Our fragile existence can change in an instant.
Thanks for sharing Ed, A beautiful reminder to show kindness and compassion, you never know what someone else is going through.
We rarely know what’s really going on in people’s lives, assumptions are just that. I know there is more to the story when someone is struggling, this message highlights that truth, thank you.
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1wEd Davidson Buddhists teach compassion as the first step - this is why. Lack of understanding to someone else's situation followed by judgement from visual and verbal clues is so misleading. From a Buddhist perspective, the definition of compassion is simple: wishing others to be free from suffering and the causes of suffering. Practicing compassion before judgement and the world will be a better place.