"The question we should all be asking ourselves is: How can I change to be better for others?"
Our Purpose is to Love by Cecilia B. Loving*
Ruth King, author of “Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside,” says, “Collectively we are sacred geometry, extensions of each other. We are [all reflections of] the human heart. Imagine that our only job is to mirror each other’s goodness. . . Each of us must ask, ‘What kind of society do I want to live in? How can my life be a reflection of... harmony and… well- being for future generations?’ [How do we cultivate] an ever-growing awareness of how we impact and care for each other? [How can] all neighborhoods and schools support wholesomeness and the dignity of the human spirit? [How can we ensure] that no joy is experienced at the expense of [others]?” The question we should all be asking ourselves is: How can I change to be better for others?
Regardless of our individual goals and desires, at its core, our purpose is to develop universal compassion for others, to serve “something larger than ourselves.” Compassion not only reduces stress but also reduces illness. One study showed that patients actually reduced their hospital stay and subsequent need for medical care through the presence of a more compassionate physician. Compassion is not a weakness but a strength that enhances our capabilities, relationships and achievements. One of the most important lessons that I learned as a young litigator, which was fortunately modeled by lead counsel at both of the firms where I worked, was that we could be compassionate with our adversaries and opposing counsel and still win. On several occasions, after the case was won, our adversaries even sought us as counsel.
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