Grace and Compassion
If we want to experience grace and compassion, we must extend grace and compassion to others.
This brief story demonstrates the couple’s quick willingness to judge rather than to first seek understanding. Notwithstanding the fact that the exchange between the father and son was personal and private to them, the couple demonstrated a judgmental mindset in several ways: 1. That the son’s behavior was inappropriate for his age, 2. That the father had not sought help for his son, and 3. That the son had a condition that required medical attention. I was curious as to why they didn’t revel in the excitement over the ‘small things in life’. My husband and I can often be heard marveling at how low the moon sits on the horizon, or a beautiful sunset’s colors, or the intricacies of a flower, but neither of us has any physical or mental impairment; we appreciate the beauty around us. What’s ‘wrong’ with that?
What if that adult son had a cognitive impairment from birth and after many years, he could only progress but so far? Would that have made the couple feel the son’s behavior was inappropriate?
As long as the source of happiness is not illegal (e.g., murder) or immoral (e.g., assault), then I think I will continue to allow happiness to be contagious to me.