Compassion at The Cornerstone of Civilization

Compassion at The Cornerstone of Civilization

Margaret Mead, one of the most prominent anthropologists of her time, was asked what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. Her answer was surprisingly simple and straightforward: a broken femur that has healed.

Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if an animal breaks its leg, it is unlikely to survive for long. Without the ability to run, hunt, or even drink water, the broken leg becomes a death sentence. However, in ancient cultures, a healed broken femur was evidence that someone had taken care of the injured individual. They had stayed with them, tended their wounds, and helped them recover.

This small act of kindness and compassion was, according to Mead, the first sign of civilization. It marked a shift in how people related to one another and signaled the beginning of a society built on cooperation and mutual support.

Fast forward to today, and we can see the importance of compassion in our daily lives. Whether it's helping a friend in need or volunteering at a local charity, acts of compassion help to build stronger communities and create a more interconnected world. In fact, one of the most surefire ways to increase your own well-being is to increase that of others around you. Tons of research points to this being true.

However, despite its many benefits, compassion can be difficult to cultivate and maintain.

Caught in a Trap

Caught in a Trap

Picture yourself strolling along a picturesque trail, enjoying the beauty of nature. Suddenly, you spot a dog beside a tree, which appears to be a friendly, charming little fellow from afar (assuming you’re a dog lover, of course!). Just as you’re about to let out a coo of admiration, the dog turns on you, snarling and lunging menacingly. You're caught off guard and think that the dog is a dangerous creature. But then, you glance at the dog's hind leg and see that it's ensnared in a trap, bloodied and tangled. The poor animal is frightened and acting out of self-defense.

In that moment, your perspective shifts, and you feel compassion for the trapped dog. You want to help free it from the trap. The same can be said about our experiences with harm, whether we cause it or receive it. Reframing and taking a different perspective can be helpful.

When we feel free, open, and a sense of belonging, we show up in our lives with openness and less reactivity. On the other hand, if you've gone through trauma, pain, or experienced other difficulties,

The Circle of Awareness

The Circle of Awareness

Can you think of a time when you felt frustrated when things didn't go according to plan? When you believed that things should be different than they were? This type of thinking is a telltale sign of our very human penchant for obsessive thinking and over-control. Unfortunately, the more we try to manage our lives and control things beyond our control, the more we negatively impact our resiliency and ability to handle whatever arises.

An over-controller assumes that in most situations, there is a problem and that things should be different. When you feel fear about a situation or an outcome (like getting into college or doing well on the SAT) you’re likely experiencing some obsessive thinking and feel a sense of more certainty about your opinions on reality— either wildly inflating or deflating possible outcomes scenarios. I should do well, I prepared so much. I should get a 14XX score this time, at least 30 points better. I should be able to get into X college, they got in last year. This "should" mentality is a barrier to accepting reality, as it argues with what is happening or what could happen. You are, in essence, trying to create your own reality!

Hamlet & Reframing Our Thoughts

Hamlet & Reframing Our Thoughts

As students, you’re likely all too familiar with the age-old question posed by humanities teachers: "Interpret the author's intent” or “interpret the meaning of this passage.” Interestingly, the key to analytical interpretation in English class can offer a key into why turning our attention inward might help us reframe our thoughts and how we respond to various situations.

As Hamlet famously said, "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." In English class, you might need to contextualize a character’s action within the framework of the time period, storyline or relationship with other characters or overarching themes. In essence, you’re trying to make sense of things. Similarly, our thoughts can largely shape our reality, and how we frame a situation in our own minds will determine the intensity and duration of our emotional response to it.