“Compassion is the basis of morality.” Arthur Schopenhauer
Sad that today the world seems to be lacking in the very basis of morality. Why? Well, that is probably the million dollar question, isn't it?
Read the newspaper, you’ll know what I mean when I say that the world seems to have since long misplaced compassion. On top of that it also seems as though not many are looking for it either. So sometimes, in fact at most times, I’m forced to believe that our world has probably gone to the dogs or very nearly at the verge of it.
When I read about a plane being shot out of the sky, and intentionally too, I feel what more can there be left to see? When I see an innocent pilot being burnt alive to propagate some twisted interpretation of faith, I can’t help but feel disgusted at the levels to which humanity has stooped. When I see people commenting on the apparent lack of character of a woman raped in some part of my country, I feel outraged and defeated at the same time. When I see the world snubbing the horrific attacks by Boko Haram, I lament at the hypocrisy of the modern world. When I see an aged, harmless man being beaten black and blue by police officers in a foreign country, I feel how xenophobic can the world get?
But then I’m reminded of this line by Aesop, No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. So why give up so soon? That is also the reason why I’m going to take part in this wonderful initiative, 1000 Voices of Compassion. Today over 1000 bloggers from around the world, yes you read it right over 1000 bloggers, will write about compassion. Today we will bring back compassion to coffee table discussions and water cooler talks. Today we will remind the world that it’s time we bring empathy back to our lives, our world. Interested? Well, read on then.
India, my country, is, even today, fighting on many fronts; on a number of social issues. One of those being educating the girl child. Well, with education being so expensive, another topic of deliberation for later, it becomes difficult for the poor to send their kids to school. Yes, it’s impossible even if they want to. Well, the same was the case with the maid who worked at my mother’s. But not anymore. Mom and dad decided to take on themselves the responsibility of educating her daughter. And they are, in fact, still doing it even after the maid stopped working for them. Today that little girl is in the 2nd standard. But why have I mentioned this here? Well, because it shows compassion still exists and so much closer to home. It gives me hope.
But that’s not the only instance that I want to share here. I remember reading about one of my blogger friends too helping out her maid’s daughters with school work. And I know several such people who have decided to shoulder the responsibility for educating girls around India, in their own capacity but still.
Do you know how important it is for girls to be educated? Very. In fact, I can go on writing posts on the significance of it all. But that’s for another day. It’s the silver lining that I want to speak about here. The glimmer of hope that kindness still very much exists.
Look around, I’m sure there are people you can help. Remember it’s not about how much but what. Yes, you and I need to ask ourselves what we can do, then go ahead and do it too. And who better to do it for than the children, the future of the world? What better than educating them?
So tell me will you join hands with me and the rest of the world in this crusade for compassion? Will you?