“A True Story About Learning to Have Compassion”

A while back there was a young man who had lots of money and didn’t have any needs of any kind— and he was not giving or compassionate at all. When people would come to him asking for help he would turn them away. And when he came across a beggar on the street he would pass them by and not give them a second look— but soon everything would change.

One day this young man had a terrible car accident and broke his upper left leg in three places, his leg was crushed, and he could not walk for months. And because of that, he had to rely on all his friends and family to help him. But everyone was too busy, everyone had their own life to live and didn’t really seem to care because this young man didn’t really seem to care about them. And it was extremely difficult, painful, and terribly hard to get around and do anything for this young man. And some days he would just sit and cry because he was all alone, and it was not easy.

But this experience opened his eyes, he could finally see how others felt because they were suffering from some life challenge. For he knew that they too needed someone to be there for them just like he needed someone. Eventually, he did recover, it took 2 years to get going again and be able to walk and get around like he used too.

But he was a changed man, a whole different person because he would stop and talk to the beggars, and give money to those in need, and helped his brothers, sisters, and other family members. Thus not only did he have a healing of his leg, there was also a healing of his heart. Where there was a black hole in his heart before it was now full of compassion. So this young man grew because of a terrible accident that allowed him to go inside and see that he too needed help— just like millions of other people.

May we all have God, the Universe, and Great Spirit bring us life changing events that wake us up from our slumber and allow us to grow into compassionate, loving, and kind beings.

Many Blessings to Everyone!

Dr. Paul Haider