Compassionate Service

As the calendar turns to March, it’s time to revisit the gratitude practice inspired by Angeles Arrien’s Living in Gratitude. In February I vowed to be more deliberate in sending compassionate thoughts to those who irritate me. This practice, alas, proved harder than I thought it would be. I could blame others for ramping up their irritation level, but honestly, I think the fault actually lies with me. Mea culpa. Time to start anew.

In Arrien’s book, this month’s chapter is an invitation to practice compassionate service. Just as spring brings warmth, new life, and a blossoming of the earth, Arrien invites us to nurture the burgeoning fruits of our gratitude practice. She quotes the advice given by Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush in their book Compassion in Action: Setting Out on the Path of Service:

• be brave
• start small
• use what you’ve got
• do something you enjoy
• don’t overcommit

Much of compassionate service, then, is about discernment. We have to discern both what is inside our hearts and what needs doing in the larger world. If we miss the mark with the first, we end up feeling over-committed, frustrated, and burned out. If we miss the mark with the second, our efforts are largely wasted (I’m reminded of C.S. Lewis’ comment about a woman who “spent her life helping others… you could tell the others by their hunted look”).

I like those first two directives best of all: Be Brave. Start Small.

Sign me up for March!