This week I noticed a post by Parker Palmer on Facebook. He is the Quaker author of many books including A Hidden Wholeness, the book that was inspiration for the Soul Matters program. Additionally Parker is the founder of the Center for Renewal (www.couragerenewal.org). When he posts on Facebook he generally includes an evocative picture or painting that seems to get my attention every time. Usually he attaches a poem or writing to the image that is just as evocative. This week he included a piece about “compassion” as written by Miller Williams. Rather than click on “like” for my Facebook friends I want to post in RVUUF’s blog the first sentence of this poem by Williams with hope that you’ll take it and ponder compassion as you move about your life connecting to people from all walks of life. Miller begins with: “Have compassion for everyone you meet even if they don’t want it.” An interesting thought, and easier said than done, when I often discover giving compassion for people who don’t want it is as difficult as giving compassion for myself. I’ve learned from the Rev. Cat Cox that giving yourself compassion is much like when flying in a plane and you are told to put the oxygen mask on your face BEFORE you help the person next to you. May each of us offer compassion beginning with ourselves this week.