Compassion Wins

By Rodney Bullard
CEO The Same House PBC | Former Senior Executive at Chick-fil-A / Global CSR, ESG and Marketing Leader | Best-Selling Author | Former AUSA | Former Air Force JAG l Corporate and Non-profit Board Director
“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
To feel genuine empathy and ignite Compassion, we must first attune to the pain of others. We must both listen and share. Storytelling is a beautiful way to educate and teach others about our history and the origin of our beliefs and experiences. It allows us to understand a person’s identity, dignity, and place in the world. Through stories, we can connect to our past and future. As Martin Luther King, Jr. stated:
Compassion and nonviolence help us see the enemy’s point of view, hear their questions, and know their assessment of ourselves. From their point of view, we may see the basic weaknesses of our condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers and sisters who are called the opposition. – Martin Luther King, Jr.
King’s power in this speech stems from the responsibility of listening and learning before judgment. He knew that approaching hatred with more hatred fanned the flames of those who opposed equal rights. Instead, he invited the opposition to share their stories and encouraged them to hear the tales of his people. He lent a voice to both sides of the political divide to reduce our nation’s polarization and empower others to create their own transformation.
Doing good together promotes kindness. Compassion is a zero-sum game where there are no losers and only winners. The person suffering feels recognized and heard, while the giver receives the well-being of helping others. As author, Judy Cannato states in her book Field of Compassion:
Compassion changes everything. Compassion heals. Compassion mends the broken and restores what has been lost. Compassion draws together those who have been estranged or never even dreamed they were connected. Compassion pulls us out of ourselves and into the heart of another, placing us on holy ground where we instinctively take off our shoes and walk in reverence. Compassion springs out of vulnerability and triumphs in unity.
Through the practice of Compassion, we extend kindness to one another and begin mending the broken and fractured pieces within ourselves. We expand our worldview and open our eyes and hearts to new perspectives and ideas.