We are all in this together – so break out the compassion and let tolerance reign supreme.

I was attending a seminar over the weekend when I came across a marvellous quote and it really struck me as so very true. So today I simply want to share that quote with you and invite you to let it settle within you for a while. I have a feeling that the quote is from Iyanla Vanzant –  but am yet to verify its source. So if the source is indeed different, please feel free to let me know and I shall correct that. So here it is:

” Every single person has at least one secret that would break your heart. If we could just remember this, I think there would be a lot more compassion and tolerance in the world”.

 - Iyanla Vanzant

So  - what was your first reaction upon reading that? If you are not sure – just re-read the quote, sit with it and really tune in to how you feel as you read it.

For me – the first sentence is really powerful. I felt an instant “breaking of my heart”……..like an instant connection with anyone in the world who has ever dealt with trauma and pain. Just reading that sentence, somehow sent waves of compassion pouring out of my soul into the Universe somehow.

I felt a natural inclination to want to “heal” these people.

To help them. To show them they are not alone. To show them compassion.

This reaction actually surprised me a little to be honest, and then I moved onto the second sentence:

 If we could just remember this………………

And here in lies the rub.

I must admit that I have to raise my hand when it comes to the jealousy stakes. And if the Jealousy Stakes were a 12 horse race, I would have at least 4 horses running ha ha ah ha. So whilst this is an issue that I very much try to work on every day and keep at bay, the simple truth is that I do tend to see other people and sometimes think: ” Wow – their life is so wonderful. Gee – I wish I could be them. Look at all they have achieved. Look at all they have. Look at how talented and fun they are. Why didn’t I go down that path? Why didn’t I do that ? etc etc ”

And on –  and on –  and on it goes –  ha ha ha ha.

Perhaps this is an in built human mechanism in some of us that drives us to do more – who knows? But the thing to remember in relation to this article is that, no matter how wonderful another person’s life appears from the outside – you can bet your bottom dollar that they have had some sort of challenge, issue or tragedy that they have had to deal with somewhere in their life.

We all have. We all do. And we will all continue to do so.

Life experience, so it appears, is the great human leveller. And the other one is death.

These two things are for certain:

A – you will live a life with lots of challenges and curve balls [ and sometimes those around you will not even be aware of these trials and tribulations ]

B – at the end of it all, you will drop of the perch in a manner yet to be disclosed, and end up 6 foot under, with no idea of what is next and where you are going.

So – given these two facts – I have to ask the obvious question which is: ” Why oh why do we take it all so seriously?”

Perhaps if we were all just a little more aware that everyone around us is on the same journey.

Perhaps if we realized that everyone has challenges and turmoil to face.

Perhaps if we truly “got it” – that we are all in this together – then the world would be a more tolerant and compassionate space in which we could all thrive. Throwing out a supporting hand and a gentle smile to those around us, instead of aiming a rock at the head of those who appear, on the outside, to be more fortunate.

I know from my own personal experience, that there are people whom I have met who seem so together and happening and successful and happy – and they are……..but upon getting to know them I have discovered an incredible tragedy that dwells in their past. A secret that most people do not know. A terrible tragedy that they have had to deal with and move through to get where they are now.

And like the quote says – every single person has something they are dealing with.

A death in the family. An illness or addiction to cope with. The loss of a business. The loss of a child. The loss of a lifetime’s work. A family tragedy or trauma. Unexpected loss. The loss of a life partner. Inexplicable pain and suffering. Hidden violence and trauma. Escape from abuse. Escape from genocide. Escape from addiction. Rebuilding and regrouping after a fire or earthquake or other natural event. Dealing with suicide. Dealing with racism or hatred. Coping with depression or oppression. Coping with being alone and lonely. Homelessness. Helplessness. Bullying. Sadness.

The list is endless.

Issues that maybe somewhat resolved…………. and issues that are constant and ever-present.

We are all just playing the hand we were dealt and making the best of what we were given.

But no-one gets all the good cards. We all have our share of Jokers in the pack.

We all have challenges, and tragedies, and traumas to deal with as we go along. It is just how life works.

It is how we grow.

It is how we learn.

It is how we unearth some of the deepest parts of ourselves.

And maybe, just maybe – it is how we are given the opportunity to show compassion to our fellow travellers along the way.

So I will end today’s blog by simply revisiting this wonderful quote:

” Every single person has at least one secret that would break your heart. If we could just remember this, I think there would be a lot more compassion and tolerance in the world”.

#Discover You, #Love You, #Be You

- Christine -