Have Compassion - Visitor's Story

by Regina Cates
(Los Angeles, CA, USA)

One day I took a walk along the Third-street promenade in Santa Monica, California. Leaning against a street signal pole was a young man about twenty-five. He was holding a sign that read, "Help, please. Down on my luck."

As I approached he did not look up. I reached in my wallet and took out $5. I touched his arm and said, "Here, take this." He looked up, gently took the money and smiled. Years of Meth use had claimed most of his teeth. And yet within his pale blue eyes there was a familiar, alert presence.

I squeezed his arm and said, "Love yourself. You are worth it." He said, "Thank you. That means a lot.�

I kept my hand resting on his arm for a few seconds until the light changed and I stepped off the curb and into the street. Half-way through the intersection the tears began.

One of the most powerful heart-lessons we learn is that every soul is whole, no matter how wounded the human host. So, each day strive to be compassionate with the outer human to clearly see and unconditionally love the spirit within.