Dooley Noted: 9/15/2015
This week, I fell short again.
A friend needed me. I didn’t know it.
He put on a strong face.
I let my selfish needs supersede his needs.
He got hurt by my lack of compassion.
A moment can change your world – as well as someone else’s.
The tables certainly turned when I developed an upper respiratory tract infection that demanded my attention.
I found myself putting on the brave face, much like my friend.
I would peel myself each morning from my pillow, voice and energy stolen.
I would put on a smile and a face of makeup, so no one could tell how I felt.
Look at my smiling face. Can you tell I feel like hell?
This got me thinking about how many people in our lives do this on a regular basis.
They wake up with their struggles. The struggles may have even kept them up all night. But they put on brave faces and move forward with their lives.
We can offer compassion to the people that openly ask for it.
But sometimes, the people that crave compassion the most are the ones that are hiding from needing it.
Your compassion might just inspire encouragement, that they are handling no problems all alone.
Had I been there for my friend, I might’ve helped him turn his day around – even if I didn’t know he was having a rough one.
Compassion must be offered to affect the masses that cross our paths.
I know I’ll consider that, the next time I see a smiling face.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley