Compassion Not Criticism
When you criticize
you fail
to comprehend that everyone
is dealing with more
than anyone can know
Each is doing his best
coping
given their uniquely complex aggregate circumstance
attempting to manage
the petty paradoxes and inevitable dichotomies,
and the aggressive onslaughts of mental miasma
bamboozled
each we are in our own way
surprisingly subtly susceptible
unwittingly entrenched in perspective
desperately needing patience and freedom and tolerance
but mostly we are starved for compassion
thirsting to be raised up
cherished and defended
as inherently blameless by design
and genuinely flawless by intent
down deep at our essential core.
It is better to be kind than correct.
Can you imagine a compassionate world
where there is no criticism?
Required adjustments would happen more readily
because they’d be natural, internal
and therefore more powerful
conceived without condemnation
and acquired through self-revelation
silently supported by unconditional love.
You aren’t being righteous or helpful when you criticize.
Compassion is always the most righteous response –
always warranted, always appropriate, always helpful.
Let’s give it a try. Every time. What a glorious two-way release!
Polly Castor
10/11/09
