The Kindness of Openness

"Compassionate action emerges from the sense of openness, connectedness, and discernment you have created."
― Joan Halifax

A woman I know was leaving a school event this morning.  As she drove out of the campus, she stopped her car and rolled down her window to compliment one of the other mothers on her daughter's performance.  It was a mom she did not know well.  The mother approached the car and said, "I have to ask you a favor."  Of course, the woman I know replied.  "Since you are a spiritual person, I was wondering if you would pray for our nephew..."  She went on to explain that her teenage nephew had just been diagnosed with cancer.  The woman I know promised to pray for him.

A few minutes later, the woman I know remembered that she had wanted to reach out to another mother about an issue with one of her children.  The mother she planned on calling was not someone she knew well, but for some reason, she felt comfortable consulting her.  She sent the mother a text asking when might be a good time to talk.  Two minutes later, the other mother called and they talked about the issue.

As the woman I know continued on her way, she thought about the chain of events -- one woman asking another for help, who in turn asked another...  She was grateful that the first woman had asked her for prayers -- even if she didn't feel like the spiritual person the other woman imagined her to be. 

 

There is kindness in opening our hearts to others.  When we open our hearts, things we might not expect happen.  Openness encourages connection, which makes way for compassion and allows us to care for and support each other.