In this time of Advent, we’d like to share some thoughts on virtues and values.
It’s difficult to select only 25 values and virtues for the purpose of compiling an Advent Calendar, but it’s a starting point to consider what’s most worthy in our lives.
We need more time for meditation in this world. There’s never enough time to stop and reflect, or stop and cease from thinking. Perhaps during this festive season we should allow ourselves the gift of silence or quiet reflection every day throughout Advent to just consider what and who is important in our lives.
You’ll find our thoughts on our companion site 3Di Philosophy.
www.3diphilosophy.wordpress.com
We’ll post a short link to it on this site daily.
Peace and lovingkindness to all our readers at this and all times.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
1. Compassion
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
Dalai Lama
© 3DI Associates Photography
“Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.”
Nelson Mandela
…………………………………………………………………….
We want active as well as passive compassion. There are times when we can feel immense compassion for our fellow humans but are unable to help them immediately, or at all.
Remember that scene back in 1984 when Michael Buerk reported for the BBC on the plight of the starving Ethopians. It was a tragedy unfolding before our very eyes, and as we sat in the comfort of our own homes we felt hopeless and helpless.
Yet, something did happen. Action was taken and although the famine continued to take its fatal course, preventative measures and global perception of the problems increased. Compassion was active.
In our own lives, we need to consider compassion on this societal level as well as a more personal one. How do we become more compassionate? Why should we be more compassionate? How do we balance our compassionate thoughts and actions with our own needs?
As the Dalai Lama says, in finding compassion for those we care about, we not only make lives easier and happier for others but we find a sense of contentment for ourselves.
3D Eye 
Compassion showed finds a sense of real satisfaction in life. We feel relaxed, that is, contended.
The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, forgiveness. –H.H. the Dalai Lama
LikeLike