Compassion

As a society we seem to have lost the sense of compassion and consolation. Here's a favorite quote of mine for reflection.

"Consolation is a beautiful word. It means "to be" (con-) "with the lonely one" (solus). To offer

consolation is one of the most important ways to care. Life is so full of pain, sadness, and

loneliness that we often wonder what we can do to alleviate the immense suffering we see. We

can and must offer consolation. We can and must console the mother who lost her child, the

young person with AIDS, the family whose house burned down, the soldier who was wounded,

the teenager who contemplates suicide, the old man who wonders why he should stay alive.

To console does not mean to take away the pain but rather to be there and say, "You are not

alone, I am with you. Together we can carry the burden. Don't be afraid. I am here." That is

consolation. We all need to give it as well as to receive it." ~ Henri Nouwen