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Compassion Footprint
November 28, 2006
You've probably heard about the "carbon footprint" - which is a measurement of emitted CO2. When people talk about their personal carbon footprint they're talking about the amount of CO2 they generate. Laura Hannon at AccuWeather's Global Warming blog has a post on this you can find here.
Today I was thinking about something almost completely unrelated. I'm going to call it the "compassion footprint" since footprints are in vogue. The Compassion Footprint would be a measurement of emitted compassion. I have to confess that I don't always emit a high level of compassion. This past week I was challenged to think about my own personal compassion and how I can make a difference in the lives of others less fortunate.
I also spent some time thinking about my Compassion Footprint in years past and how that's measured up. That brought to mind the original "Compassion Footprint" movie, It's a Wonderful Life. I'm sure you know it: In the movie George Bailey (played by the inimitable James Stewart) has convinced himself that he's better off dead and is about to end it all - but is saved by his wingless guardian angel Clarence. Clarence then takes George on a trip through a world that hadn't been blessed by George's generosity, compassion and caring.
It's a classic movie, and Clarence sums up the whole of it in this line:
Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?
But to take that one step further, not only do our lives touch so many other lives, but every day we have the opportunity to consciously choose to multiply that. It might seem to us a small gesture, but we never know how a small act will domino into something huge. Whether you drop off some groceries at the local food bank, pack a shoebox for "Operation Christmas Child," drop off a toy in a Toys for Tots barrel or something else, consider how you can increase your own Compassion Footprint in the coming weeks. And remember that no matter how small you might think the kindness is, it's going to be a blessing to the person receiving it.