“Have compassion for everyone you meet, even if they don’t want it. What appears bad manners, an ill temper or cynicism is always a sign of things no ears have heard, no eyes have seen. You do not know what wars are going on down there where the spirit meets the bone.” ~Miller Williams

May 4th, 2010

When I go about my day and cross paths with someone of contrary character, I often meet them down at their level, a bump over which I trip and fall from grace. With a stranger, the challenge is to turn it around mid-interaction. To remember compassion in the moment takes practice.

I have noticed, however, that when I know in advance that I will be facing someone who has sharp edges and is normally disagreeable–if I first fill my heart with Love, the interaction goes surprisingly well.

Try it sometime. Watch magic happen with a grouchy relative, a difficult co-worker, or an annoying friend of a friend. Approach the encounter with pure Love in your heart for this person, no matter how unreasonable this sounds, and completely dissolve disdain this one time. See for yourself the ease with which the exchange takes place.

I believe there are two emotions from which all other emotions derive: Love and Fear. When we feel negative emotions toward someone, even anger, there is an element of fear…perhaps a fear that we also are not worthy of our own love. Love yourself first and loving others will flow more easily, as will your interactions.

Would it be too unacceptable to send love to the driver who cuts you off in traffic or steals your parking space? To a friend who cancels last minute with no reason given? To a family member who yells at you for making poor decisions? Can we imagine a justification for their actions? What might be going on for them “down there where the spirit meets the bone”?


6 Responses to ““Have compassion for everyone you meet, even if they don’t want it. What appears bad manners, an ill temper or cynicism is always a sign of things no ears have heard, no eyes have seen. You do not know what wars are going on down there where the spirit meets the bone.” ~Miller Williams”

  1. Rachel on May 6, 2010 11:09 am

    Love it!
    I like especially the one about the driver . . . I have been on both sides, which are really one, right?!

  2. Sam Stein on May 8, 2010 3:56 pm

    A heart-warming post. I’m printing the quotation – it’s worth remembering.
    It’s also good to remember to have compassion for ourselves, too – a little goes a long way.

  3. Victor Kimura on June 2, 2010 4:29 am

    I love your article. This is what Jesus says about love:
    4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

    8Love never fails.
    – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

    The Lord speaks to me all the time about how much He loves them even in our fallen state.

  4. Felipe Arterburn on July 7, 2011 7:51 am

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  5. Maribel Beltrez on July 21, 2011 5:54 pm

    For us to show this unconditional love that so many are in need of we need to go to the source of LOVE, which is Jesus. That is what Jesus instructs us to do to love one another and if a person does not know how to do it then it is imperative to go to the source and learn from Him. Jesus is our greatest example on how we should love others even when we are mistreated because Jesus was never found guilty of any wrong doing but was still mistreated, spat upon, beaten, & even nailed on the cross but His love for humanity was the purest of all that even on the cross He said “forgive them Father for they not know what they do.” He never cursed anyone and still till this day He stretches out His arms to all even when we do not deserve it. He said, “come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. If our character is not gentle and humble it will be impossible to demonstrate love to others. But I pray I will allow the Spirit of God to guide me and instruct to be the light He has called me to be in the midst of darkness. God Bless You all and let us go back to the source JESUS=LOVE.

  6. Janice on September 13, 2012 10:38 pm

    I heard this wonderful one from Williams on a telecall today, and in looking for a copy of it found your beautiful blog–what a lovely post. I also fell in love with William’s article “Nobody Play the Piano, but We Love to Have it in the House” today. I do believe that ANGER is a fear of not being worthy of one’s own love. What else would cause others to behave so atrociously. Thanks for your post!

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