“Feeling Another’s Pain”
March 2, 2008–Being a caring person has its “down” side. Feeling the pain of others, especially when you can do little or nothing about it, is painful beyond words.
We are all connected. The writer John Donne said, “Any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in Mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” I remember reading and pondering this while in high school many years ago. I have found it to be true over and over.
Loss and suffering are part of the human condition. Like most people, I enjoy shopping, traveling, the arts, comedy, and having fun in the sun. All of these enjoyable activities help me forget momentarily the pain of human existence. What so often have been the high points of my life, especially the births of my own children, were often accompanied by other painful events. ‘Life’s a mixed bag–just like Santa’s toys’ I once wrote in a poem. How true it continues to be.
Pain, illness, or loss that affects our loved ones, also affects us. Marriage, and birth of a child, which are among life’s happiest events, affect us as well. How can it be otherwise? It’s as though we are connected by an invisible cord, and what affects you also affects me. The opposite is also true.
The joy of love is also the pain of love. The joy of receiving is also the pain of loss. We are connected and that invisible bond is real. It is tangible. And where it does not exist, we must be careful!
Daily we are inundated by the media with hideous stories of murders and torture beyond the imagination of most of us. Our mysteries are only fantasy, but news is reality. How do we face these events and get up and go about our day without a care? If it’s possible, perhaps it is because we have learned to compartmentalize life events, or close ourselves off to our own human feelings.
Feelings are real. They are human. They distinguish us as both real, and human. But what about those who don’t seem to care? to feel? to have compassion?
Psychologists and psychiatrists may give us technical answers which we can choose whether or not to accept. But one thing is certain. Love is an invisible bond that connects us back to our own humanity, and to that of all humanity. What is not connected is not truly human by that definition.
Consider your relationships and acquaintances. Foster those that show evidence of the connectedness of humanity, and beware of all others. With seduction of the innocent always a risk, we must teach our children whom to trust. That lesson begins with us. To recognize love among us we must first experience our own humanity. And then, we must see who cares.
This Meditation is dedicated to all who truly care. It is also dedicated to Knowledge within us that leads us to right relationships.
Sue Kidd Shipe, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Please join us in prayer/meditation during the 24 hours of Sunday, March 2, and again the first Sunday of every month. The International Institute for Human Empowerment, Inc. is in our 12th year of continuous International Peace Meditations. Forward our Meditation to all in your address book; make copies for your religious and spiritual brochures and bulletins.
Important Dates to Remember:
September 11, Annually International Unity Day
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May 10, 2008 Second Annual Fibromyalgia Conference
Please mark your calendars for our Second Annual Fibromyalgia Conference to be held at Price Chopper Community Room in Schenectady, New York. Watch for updates by going to www.humanempowerment.org and selecting “Fibromyalgia” in the menu bar.
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Sue Kidd Shipe, Executive Director
International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc.
P. O. Box 3920
Albany, New York 12203 USA
(518) 393-9491
sueshipe@www.humanempowerment.org
www.humanempowerment.org