Posts Tagged ‘distinctly human trait’

A compassionate brain is a learning brain

Some readers have been wondering why I often “sign-off” my articles with the word, “Blessings . . . ”

It’s the Irish in me probably. We Celts want to tell you all the good stories, and throw all the good blessings your way. Me fah-ther was born in Ireland so I coom by it naturally, eh? 😮

There are many soft and gentle Irish Blessings, and some of you may know some. Send them in with your comments and I’ll share them with the world.

Here is an encouraging Irish Blessing about work and life that I found on a poster today at the General Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The photo and poem below are from Covenant Health: http://covenanthealth.ca/

Reflection May 14, 2010
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass – it’s about learning to dance in the rain.                   ~ Anonymous

BLESSINGS

May your work never weary you.

May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration, and excitement.

May the day never burden.

May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities and promises.

May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.

May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected.

~ John O’Donohue, in Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom, from amazon.com

Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom

If “O’Donohue” isn’t a right Irish name, I don’t know what is, eh? 😮

Compassion, Heart of the Learning Brain

When we have the humility (teachableness, coachability) to listen to our compassionate heart, we will learn wisdom and even “great treasures of knowledge.”

We tend to think of compassion as distinct from the brain. And of course it is related to what we sometimes call, “matters of the heart.”

When the learning brain combines “matters of the heart” with “matters of the brain,” you are  on the Celtic road to greater understanding, greater knowledge, greater wisdom, and hey, people will like you more. And you’ll like yourself more, too.

When you relate to yourself better, with greater compassion, you will tend to treat others better also. And then others will tend to treat you better.

What a beautiful upward spiral!

Better than a vicious downward spiral, eh? 😮

Hearken to your heart and your head will be wiser and smarter.

And your hands will serve others more willingly.

Irish Blessings On Ya!

Doc Meek, May 14, 2010, in Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA; not in South Jordan, Utah, USA, with my wise and compassionate spouse, Jeannette.                 Ah . . . soon . . . I hope.

P.S. Interview with John O’Donohue, author of Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom, on the meaning of compassion, a distinctly human capability:

http://www.personaltransformation.com/ODonohue.html