Category Archives: Compassion

Strengths

Posted on December 17, 2015 by John Swinburn

I’ve written before about the weakness people tend to associate with others, especially men, who do not or cannot control certain emotions. Here, I’m talking about men who tear up, cry, or otherwise react in an “effeminate” manner in circumstances … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Emotion, Empathy | 6 Comments

Eye-Opening Memory

Posted on August 16, 2015 by John Swinburn

Today, I was able to restore an old blog I once deleted. It’s a long story, not worth re-telling, but what is worth telling is that I found a post I treasured from the day I wrote it. I hated … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Empathy, Materialism | Leave a comment

Homelessness on My Mind

Posted on August 3, 2015 by John Swinburn

Some days are ugly. Some days are hideous. But if those days are  disturbing, just think how their corresponding nights must be sinister and unsettling in the extreme. Several days this past week have been stifling. As I walked through … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Empathy, Just Thinking | Leave a comment

The City

Posted on August 2, 2015 by John Swinburn

I can imagine living in the city, right in the heart of the city, waking early to seek out breakfast from street vendors or little hole-in-the-wall dives that open early so they can capture every possible customer in their efforts … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Doing Without, Empathy | 1 Comment

Different Circumstances

Posted on May 11, 2015 by John Swinburn

What would life have delivered to me had I spoken to my mother in Spanish? How would the world treat me differently if I bathed in a river and washed my clothes on a rock? Where would I have learned to read if … Continue reading →

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I Should Have, But I Didn’t

Posted on April 4, 2015 by John Swinburn

Pay attention to your good fortune. More importantly, share it. Even in the difficulties you experience, you constantly learn that your fortunes are far better than they might have been. This hit home for me yesterday. I had “teeth work” done yesterday, beginning around 11:30 … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Philosophy, Poverty | Leave a comment

Love and Compassion

Posted on February 19, 2015 by John Swinburn

I subscribe to Zen Habits,a blog dealing with “living in the moment” and being content with, and productive in, one’s life. Recently, a post reminded me that people tend to define themselves by what they do, what other people think of … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Happiness, Love, Purpose | Leave a comment

The Technology of Caring and Social Change

Posted on January 1, 2015 by John Swinburn

Sometimes, I question the value of Facebook, thinking with some degree of certainty that it is simply a narcissism-fueled vehicle, hurling its cargo toward self-inflicted ego implosion. But then, every once in a while, I see evidence that the technology and foundation … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Friendship, Love, Technology | Leave a comment

My Own Cage

Posted on June 3, 2014 by John Swinburn

Some days, we question things we shouldn’t question. Some days, we fail to question things that deserve reproach. Some days, we create our own ugly cages from which escape is impossible and, even if it were possible, improper. I see … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Empathy, Philosophy | Leave a comment

Winning the Battle but Losing the Soul

Posted on May 3, 2014 by John Swinburn

Yesterday, I behaved in a way that is utterly counter to my stated belief in being compassionate and empathetic.  Even before the experience was behind me, I felt pangs of guilt and felt bad about the way I was behaving. … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Empathy, Regret | 6 Comments