Gifford Volunteer Chaplain Kathy Rohloff shares her personal reflections in this blog post. Kathy and all of our volunteer chaplains offer a nonsectarian presence. If you need someone to listen, and hear you with compassion, you can reach them by calling the Rev. Tim Eberhardt at 802-728-2107.
By Kathy Rohloff
Back in 1624 John Donne famously wrote, “No man is an island”. In 1965, the Lettermen released a song expressing that thought and in 1968 Joan Baez added to it.
No man is an island,
No man stands alone,
Each man’s joy is joy to me,
Each man’s grief is my own.
We need one another,
So I will defend,
Each man as my brother,
Each man as my friend.
I saw the people gather,
I heard the music start,
The song that they were singing,
Is ringing in my heart.
No man is an island,
Way out in the blue,
We all look to the one above,
For our strength to renew.
When I help my brother,
Then I know that I,
Plant the seed of friendship,
That will never die.
Over time we have used empathy and compassion to signify the same thing. But empathy is being aware of another’s emotions and attempting to understand how they feel. And compassion is a feeling that arises when we are confronted with another’s suffering and then feel motivated to relieve that suffering.
Compassion seems to be connected to action. And our neighbors and the world need our compassion. What can we do with limited time and resources? Where do we even start?
First, we have to view others as having worth and value. We must not assume we know their entire story. Our response may be the beginning of them writing a new story, simply because there is someone who cares.
A friend that will come alongside us to console and to even weep is a gift. When practical help is added the friendship becomes more real. If we have ever received an unexpected meal, visit, check, phone call, or card we are profoundly and permanently affected.
On a daily, weekly, or monthly basis our small towns reflect compassion with food shelves and fuel assistance, access to mental health care and public forums, outdoor band concerts and community dinners. The added bonus of holiday bazaars, fireworks, and parades give all of us opportunities to share joy and community.
There are also the countless times that we extend encouragement and a listening ear. “Did you get that car fixed? Are you able to do the work yourself or do you need help?”
“Is the new job going well? Will you need extra food since your first paycheck is delayed?”
“What is the new apartment like? Are you in need of any linens or furniture?”
“What did the doctor say? Are you able to get to all of your appointments? Do you need a ride?”
Never discount the effect of compassion. It shows another that someone cares and they are not alone. It has the power to change all of our lives.
Compassion is an action word simply because no man is an island.
###
