Choosing Strength: Why Compassion is a Victor’s Path

As you think back over the 1st half of the year, or even the 1st half of your life, you can probably recall moments of uncertainty, when doubt crept in and forced you to pause, reconsider, and choose a new path.

 

I often think of Dorothy, somewhere along the yellow brick road, standing at a literal fork in the road. Let’s be honest, she had a lot on her mind. She’d been swept away from Kansas, accidentally killed a witch, and was now wandering toward an unknown wizard with only hope to guide her home.

“Follow the yellow brick road”

And then, she meets the Scarecrow. Perched awkwardly on his pole, talking in riddles and facing a challenge of his own (no brain … how is any of this possible?). He wasn’t part of her newly contrived plan.  But something in his story opened her heart. Despite her own confusion and fear, she chose compassion. Dorothy helped him down from the pole.  And in that small but powerful moment, she didn’t just rescue him, she gained a teammate. A new kind of strength. A reminder that we don’t have to “go it alone”.

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.”  -Helen Keller


Victim or Victor

So, as you deal with the daily challenges of life, are you the victim or the victor?

Every day you have a choice.  Will you wallow alone as a victim of your challenges? Or will you see the opportunities your challenges present and build a team to bring them to fruition?

In a world that often feels overwhelming, compassion might seem like a luxury:  Something we give when we have extra time or energy. But what if we reframed it as a deliberate act of strength:  A choice we make in the midst of uncertainty.

Compassion is a deliberate act of strength:  A choice we make in the midst of uncertainty.

Just as Dorothy’s journey changed when she let the Scarecrow down from his pole, our lives shift when we choose to care for one another. This November, the US Values Alliance (USVA) and I are bringing to life a Month of Compassion rooted in shared values.

 

Like people, values don’t have to stand alone. Many pair beautifully with Compassion, here are a few that come to mind:  Kindness, Empathy, Respect, Authenticity, Service, and Gratitude. You might already be doing something that aligns with this effort, and we’d love to help amplify it.

 

Your stories, challenges, actions, and reflections, are the heart of Compassion in Action:  A commitment that contributes to the type of world we want to live in.

 

We’re seeking partners who want to co-create and amplify this choice of a more compassionate world. It can happen in small or large ways – you’re the author, and your choices are the stories we need to hear.

Click on the image or button below to learn more about how you, or your organization, can collaborate on this Compassion in Action initiative.


A Couple More Things

In my last newsletter Courage By Any Other Name Is …, I reflected on courageous conversations, connections, and why living your values is more important than ever. Courage (the Lion) is another pal on the Yellow Brick Road. May your Courage be bolstered as you bring Compassion to life in this 2nd half of the year (and/or the 2nd half of your life).

 

Earlier this month, I presented The Power of Strategic Partnerships in Kara Redman’s Brand Insiders Community. The short presentation and Partner Checklist are available on my website for those who would like a boost of energy on their partnership programs.

 

I'm an author, speaker, and consultant who inspires self-advocacy and helps women’s health organizations build strategic partnerships.

What are some of your unique gifts? Your gifts are the catalyst the world needs for positive action.

✨Susan

"Know your value, Live your values" - Susan LePlae Miller