Tag Archives: compassion

The Mountain of Burdens

Better Living, The moral of the story, , , , ,

The wind howled against the cliffs as a man climbed a steep, jagged mountain. Ropes and heavy packs were tied across his shoulders and arms, each one pulling against him. The ropes strained and tightened with every step, rubbing against his skin as he leaned forward, straining upward toward the fading light. The sky glowed red behind him—a reminder that daylight was running out.

“Why is he so slow?” voices echoed from below. “Can’t he pull harder? We’re falling behind!” He heard them, but didn’t answer. His footing was unsteady, and every move sent pain through his arms. Each pack he carried held more than supplies—they carried the hopes, fears, and mistakes of those tied to him. He wanted to move faster, to lift them higher, but the mountain gave no mercy. The stones shifted beneath him, and the weight only grew heavier.

From below, they saw only his strength, the steady climber who never faltered. But inside, his muscles trembled and his lungs burned with every breath. The ropes pressed heavily against his shoulders, pulling tighter with each step, and the red sun turned the sweat on his back into a sheen of fire. Still, he climbed, not for praise but for love. To those who relied on him, his silence looked like indifference. Yet in truth, it was all he could give while fighting to stay balanced himself.

When he finally reached a narrow ledge, he paused to catch his breath. The ropes still tugged, reminding him that leadership, love, and responsibility often come with unseen weight. He realized that climbing wasn’t about being the strongest—it was about holding on, even when every muscle screamed to let go.

We all carry ropes that bind us to those we love. Some weights are seen, others remain hidden. True strength isn’t climbing alone, it’s carrying others with compassion, even when the mountain rises higher than our own strength.

The Weight We Can’t See

Better Living, The moral of the story, , , , , , , ,

At the edge of a steep cliff, a man strains to pull a woman to safety. His arms shake beneath the weight of a hidden boulder pressing down on his back. Below him, the woman clings to his hands, her feet slipping against the rough stone. She doesn’t see the rock crushing him, and he doesn’t see the snake coiled in the shadows beside her.

“Why isn’t he trying harder to pull me up?” she cries silently, panic rising in her chest.
“Why can’t she climb faster?” he wonders through clenched teeth, the pain burning through his shoulders.

The man doesn’t know the danger below her. The woman doesn’t know the agony above him. Each is fighting their own battle, unaware of the other’s struggle.

The truth is, we can’t always see the pressure others are under, and they can’t see our pain. Life is about understanding each other. What looks like weakness may be pain. What feels like indifference may be exhaustion.

We rarely see the full weight others carry or the fears that hold them back. If we could, we might offer more patience, more compassion, and more grace. True understanding begins when we stop assuming and start caring.

A Story From The Art of Happiness

Better Living, Health Proverb, , , , , , , ,

A Story from The Art of Happiness

One of the most memorable stories from The Art of Happiness that reflects the quote “A calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.” is the story of a Tibetan monk who endured years of imprisonment and torture yet emerged with unshaken peace and inner strength.

The Story of the Tibetan Monk

During a conversation, the Dalai Lama shared the story of a Tibetan monk who had been imprisoned by the Chinese government for nearly 20 years after the invasion of Tibet in 1959. The monk had been tortured, starved, and subjected to brutal conditions in a Chinese prison camp.

When the monk was finally released, he traveled to India and met with the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama, knowing the suffering he had endured, asked him,

“What was the greatest danger you faced during your time in prison?”

The monk replied, “The greatest danger I faced was losing my compassion for my captors.”

What This Story Teaches Us

Despite experiencing unimaginable suffering, the monk maintained a calm mind and inner strength. He understood that if he allowed anger, hatred, or fear to take over, he would have lost his inner peace and self-confidence—which, in turn, would have destroyed his mental and physical health.

Instead of focusing on his suffering, he focused on compassion, forgiveness, and maintaining a peaceful state of mind. He survived the ordeal not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually intact.

Health Proverb

Better Living, Health Proverb, , , , , , ,

The proverb “Know your own faults before blaming others for theirs” is a piece of wisdom that encourages self-reflection and humility. It aligns with the broader principle of self-awareness and personal responsibility found in many cultures and philosophies.

Origins

While the exact origin of this proverb is unclear, it echoes sentiments expressed in various religious texts, philosophical works, and cultural teachings throughout history. It is similar in theme to biblical teachings, such as in Matthew 7:3-5, where Jesus says:

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

This idea is also present in ancient Greek philosophy. Socrates and Plato often emphasized the importance of self-examination, with the famous Socratic maxim, “Know thyself,” encouraging individuals to understand their own nature and shortcomings before criticizing others.

Interpretation and Usage

This proverb serves as a reminder to prioritize self-improvement over judgment of others. It suggests that by acknowledging and addressing our own flaws, we can become more empathetic and less critical of those around us. In the context of health and well-being, it may also imply that personal accountability and self-care are essential before advising or criticizing others about their health choices.

While the precise originator of this proverb remains unknown, its universal message continues to resonate across cultures and centuries, promoting a philosophy of introspection and compassion.

Be the Light

Better Living, Inspirational, , , , , , , ,

When a flashlight grows dim or quits
working, do you just throw it away? 
Of course not. You change the batteries.

When a person messes up or finds 
themselves in a dark place, do you 
cast them aside? Of course not! 
You help them change their batteries.

Some need AA… attention and affection;
Some need AAA… attention, affection, and acceptance; 
some need C… compassion; some need D… direction. 
And if they still don’t seem to shine… simply sit with 
them quietly and share your light.

Good is of God

Better Living, Personal stories, , , , ,

Screen shot 2015-08-16 at 8.49.42 PM I saw a documentary about an artist that paints pictures of the Savior. When he was first married, his first wife and one of his children, died in a car accident. He said because of that accident, he believes he paints with more feelings. This tragedy was turned into a positive blessing in his life, by giving him more compassion. He was able to put more emotion into his art work.
There is a scripture I like that says, “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated And when we obtain any blessings from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.”
The way I understand this scripture is that for every law in the universe that we follow, we will be blessed for following that law. For example, if we don’t smoke we have a better chance of not getting lung cancer. If we don’t speed while we are driving, we will be blessed by not getting a speeding ticket.
I believe any idea that teaches good is of God. We can learn valuable truths from many religions. Every time we learn with an open mind we are blessed.