A new year means a new theme for Century of Compassion.  This year's theme is tolerance, which is defined as "a fair, objective, and open minded attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own" and is essential in the development of empathy for others.  Without empathy for all people - no matter how different they are from us - we cannot achieve the kind of compassion that will make a lasting impact in our world.  This year, Century of Compassion will focus on those things that each of us can do to create a more open and inclusive society - both through the kinds of daily lives we lead and the types of volunteer work we do in our communities.

Exciting Concept of Compassion

TED.com

I stumbled across this article via Twitter. It makes the argument that confrontation is compassion when you are confronting issues like oppression and exploitation. This raises an important question; does compassion mean feeling compassion universally (as the Dalai Lama teaches) toward everyone, including those who exploit and oppress others?  Or does it mean standing up in to tyranny (perhaps more like Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr.)?

Here's the article.  Let me know what you think:

http://www.ronnadetrick.com/confrontational-compassion/

CLICK HERE to link to a story about an inspiring young person featured in her local newspaper.  If each of us just did ONE of the many things she is doing, the impact would be astounding.  Through her compassion she is making her community a happier, healthier place.