Alex Haley once offered a simple yet radical instruction: “Find the good and praise it.” As this year draws to a close, that invitation feels especially timely. Not because the year has been simple or easy—but because we have witnessed, again and again, the power of choosing to notice what is good and to lift it up. READ ON.

I'd like to offer a powerful dream message I recently received and believe was meant to be shared: "Your eyes can help people grow." I am no dream expert, but the timing and tone of this message strongly connect with recent Compassion Week planning sessions, our August book study discussions on Father Gregory Boyle’s moving Cherished Belonging and an impactful article I read on the exhaustion epidemic of our times. My “reading” of the dream message is this: Our eyes are for more than sight; they are tools for connection. A simple look grounded in care can carry the message “I see you, you matter.” READ ON.

As I share this quarter's thoughts with you, I remain moved and inspired by the messages of our May 21st luncheon speaker, Father Gregory Boyle (Fr. G, as more commonly known). If you attended our luncheon and/or are reading his books, we would love to know what sticks most with you! It truly has been the experience of witnessing, through Fr. G's writing, stories, genuine presence, and very being, compassion expressed at its highest level. His continued profound influence on me is not really surprising as I am also reading Fr. G's latest book, Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times, in preparation for our August Book Study. READ ON.

The quote above is the final sentence of a poem by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommera, recently shared by one of our Board members. The full poem is titled “Even in a Time of Intolerance”. Its idea is that we each, by engaging in positive ways with others, change the world one kind act, true word or long laugh at a time. And we keep doing that, even/especially in a time which many of us describe as one of intolerance. Let’s consider how that might be possible. READ ON.

For those of you who participated in our 10th annual Compassion Week last month, we thank you for joining one or many of the special events that offered learning and direct experiences around our theme, We All Belong: Practicing Welcome and Inclusion.

The presentations by partners and friends in our network would have had a very limited ripple effect in our community without your engaged participation!

“YES, AND?”

One of the programs I attended began with the instruction for each of us to acknowledge something in our lives that is quite difficult to accept and to speak about that experience of suffering fully to 2 to 3 quietly- listening others (we would each have a turn at this). READ ON.

A Meeting of the Minds across Time: The Ancient Southern Africa Philosophy of Ubuntu and his Holiness The Dalai Lama.

Hopefully, you have already read in this newsletter that we begin a new Compassionate Integrity Training (CIT) Course on September 10, AND we have organized a special, free Compassion Week event open to all on World Kindness Day (November 13)!

The Compassion Week event presents the screening and music of the much- awarded film The Spirit of Ubuntu. The film’s producer and music creator will be with us and our amazing co-sponsors. That, of course, is just one event of this special week highlighting the compassionate offerings of our network partners. READ ON.

Why do we cultivate compassion?

Many essential reasons include our hopes for greater personal, societal, and global peace and well-being. However, recognizing that compassion’s ultimate aim is to alleviate suffering of all types, we glimpse its immense potential. With that glimpse, we may simultaneously experience both passionate inspiration and overwhelm as we move forward.

It is the passionate inspiration I want to call forth today! READ ON.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about community, primarily upon receiving the beautiful poem shared by Compassionate Houston’s friend, the iconic kindness poet and author James Crews, and reflecting on the inviting theme of our upcoming luncheon around community gardens!

Accompanying those inspirations are the beautiful Compassion Week hosted with network partners and friends last November and the rich and remarkable February book study communities that emerged from our discussions of “How to Know a Person Deeply” last month. READ ON.

“Kindness is the connection that links us all together and strengthens the bonds within our communities, neighborhoods and families.” - Rosalynn Carter

In mid-November we celebrated our annual Compassion Week with many of you, following the theme “The Nurtured Community: Well-being Through Connecting.” More than 500 people participated, some reporting that the ability to connect with other compassion enthusiasts was most meaningful. READ ON.

In our last two newsletters, I shared thoughts, findings, and examples of the power of kindness. Since then, I have been asked the question, “Are Kindness and Compassion the same?”

Just yesterday, I listened to a guided meditation by a well-regarded meditation teacher and noticed that he used these terms interchangeably. It motivated me to “Google” the question I was asked, but I got different results and definitions depending on the source. I decided to do my own comparison while wondering if the answer really matters. READ ON.

In our last quarterly newsletter, I shared two simple acts of kindness with contagious results that we took note of from our Random Acts of Kindness Day project. Doing such acts is one of the simplest ways to connect to others and enjoy kindness’ many benefits to mental and physical health. Whether through simple or more involved acts, being intentionally kind is often life-changing for the giver, receiver, or witness in terms of feeling grateful, “seen”, valued, worthy, useful, caring, generous and an integral part of humanity.

➢ During our Project Kindness each Fall, we ask paired freshman honors students and seniors to reflect together on their answers to these questions: “What is the Kindest Thing You Have Ever Done for Another?” and “What is the Kindest Thing Another Has Ever Done for You?” I highly recommend this as a personal or shared practice to help open your heart and strengthen your own kindness muscle. READ ON.