Compassion

            In class when we were brainstorming different values that we would include in our projects, I wasn’t sure which three I would use for my blog.  However, I knew for one thing that compassion was top on my list because of the basic meaning behind the word. To me, compassion is about doing what you can to help and serve those around you in your community, in your country, as well as on a global level.  I think we as humans have a responsibility to provide support and aid to families and individuals who are otherwise struggling to make ends meet.  By no means do I think compassion can only be achieved through helping the less fortunate but I think that’s where I first became exposed to acts of this value.  On a broader level, I think compassion can be seen by teaching someone a meaningful life lesson or spending a day with a younger student who looks up to you, because to me compassion is about going out of your way to be someone’s highlight of the day. 

            When I think about whom most influenced the development of this value in my life, without hesitation I would say my grandmother.  My grandma for all of my life has been involved with an organization that provides low-income housing and private education to families living in poor neighborhoods.  At a young age I would attend the school plays and other functions put on by the students of Beechwood School and spend time getting to know them on the playground.  I can remember sitting in different classrooms and watch family after family approach my grandma and repeatedly thank her.  At first I wasn’t sure why they would always say thank you, but as I watched her hug and say goodnight to each student and family member by name as they walked through gate I began to see and appreciate the time and effort she put into her work.   Not only did my grandma show many signs of compassion at her workplace but also at home when my family moved in with her when I was three.  I have considered myself unbelievably privileged and lucky to have lived with my grandmother at home because of the lessons she taught me during my childhood.  Whether it was reading to me books that taught good morals and traits or showing me how hard work can achieve anything, she has been an active role model in my life. 

As I briefly mentioned above, my family members first taught compassion to me at home when I was younger.  They would do this by explaining to me the positives in helping others and as a “good person” we help those in our community who are having trouble with food, clothes, or a place to stay.  I think the reason why being compassionate is so significant to me is because of how my parents would enforce this value when I was younger.  When I began to get older and have more freedoms (middle school), my parents would take away different activities I enjoyed if I complained about doing an act of community service or Beechwood event.  I think for this reason I grew to really love volunteering and making other people happy. 

I must say that the first two years middle school was a tough time for as I tried to define who I was and what traits and values were important to me.  I think this was the case because I was concentrated on being liked and approved by my peers that I “lost” my core values.  As middle school went on, I gained a close group of friends that turned around how I viewed myself and who I wanted to be.  In this close group of friends, we all shared a relatively similar moral system and were able to talk about our ethics and values openly with each other, which not only strengthen our own opinions but establish an a solid relationship with each other.  High school was the first time I can remember really thinking critically in my classes and was able to draw connections between the material we were learning in class and on campus to my own value system. 

Since my junior year in high school I have always wanted to be a teacher because of the relationship that is made with the students.  I believe that teachers show compassion everyday at work and strive to teach it to their students as well.  I have always thought of myself as a good teacher and could create a positive environment where students are compassionate and eager to learn.