When someone has wronged us, our first instinct is often to demand justice. We want the offender to be held accountable, and we may even feel that punishment is the only way to make things right. But while there are times when punishment can end a matter, compassion may change its course. Let us look at both a modern story and an ancient one that offer powerful examples of how compassion can transform the outcome of a wrong.

This story took place on a long-distance bus. A woman was standing in the crowded aisle because there were no seats. As the bus traveled through the mountains and rounded a sharp curve, she suddenly felt someone bump into her. When she instinctively reached for her wallet a moment later, she discovered that it was gone. The woman immediately cried out that she had been robbed.

The conductor could have asked the driver to take the bus to the nearest police station. Instead, he made an unusual appeal to the passengers: “Traveling is never easy for anyone. I ask the quick-handed person to show some mercy and place the wallet on the ground. We will soon pass through a tunnel, and no one will see you. Serving two years in prison for this would not be worth it.”

…

Read the full article on Nspirement

#Compassion#Forgiveness#Patience#Tolerance#Wisdom