Look Away: At Your Own Risk

There are feelings inside each of us that incite movement. They can cause pain, heart ache, joy, hope, and even love. These are feelings rooted in the depths of our souls.

Compassion is birthed from acting upon these feelings. It stems from empathy and perhaps something deeper.

What actions spark movement within your soul?

The other day I passed by two homeless men while walking to school. One man was wrapped inside a blanket, begging for change. His eyes were harsh and his skin was tough. It was cold, for Los Angeles, and he succeeded at looking pathetic. He was painful to look at.

The other man I pass every day. He sleeps outside of a run down store and always has various items surrounding him. His eyes were beyond blood shot, either from drugs or alcohol. He stood, with his back turned toward the street. His arms moved about in an odd fashion as he engaged in a staring contest with the wall...He was winning when I passed him.

I would love to share a story with you about how I spoke to them, asking them what their names were and what they liked to eat.

I would love to tell you about how I immediately went inside Ralph's (a local grocery store) and bought them something to eat.

I would love for you to hear about how I changed their hopeless lives...

But I didn't.

As I moved passed these men, my soul whispered guidance. A voice told me to do all of those things mentioned...

But I ignored it.

With each step I took, I had every opportunity to turn back around and help them...

But I kept moving.

For the sake of finishing an assignment, I gave up my soul's longing to be somebody.

When your soul leads you to putting others needs before your own, do not ignore it. That voice, is one you should never ignore. With all that you have inside of you, find a way to deny your instincts to look away from the world. It is a world hurting and in need of healing.

When your heart breaks for anyone, find a way to be there for them at full capacity.

I failed those men in that moment. It haunts me, because I could have been the answer to their problems in that moment but I chose my own needs.

I was selfish.

I cannot take those moments back but I can find a way to do better in the next ones. If I hold onto my mistake and allow it to shape me so that I can do better next time, the pain will be easier to deal with, but I will still hold onto the pain.

Please allow my failure at demonstrating compassion be a lesson to anyone reading this to always strive to better yourselves by taking yourself out of the equation. 

‎"The artist is the one who does not look away." - Akira Kurosawa  

The world is your canvas, It is time to paint your masterpiece.

The world around you is crying. You can be the answer to those tears.

How do we start?

                            By refusing to look away.