To show compassion toward strangers is more than just a mere lofty idea spoken in the halls of religious institutions.  It is a simple practice that makes the world a better place to live in, benefitting not only the recipient, but the compassionate actor as well.  By making a subtle shift in the way you interact with strangers, your life can change in a profound and meaningful way. 

The expression “to walk a mile in another man’s moccasins” means to see things from their point of view by imagining yourself in their situation.  In the case of a random driver who cuts you off on the freeway, it’s impossible to know what combination of circumstances led to the offending action. By understanding the relationship between suffering and unskillful behavior, you learn to feel compassion for others.  Cultivating compassion within yourself in this manner affects your interpretation of the world around you.

When passing by a homeless person in the park, it’s tempting to let judgmental, derogatory thoughts slip into your mind.  But with no way to know their story or the specifics of how their situation came about, condemnation only showcases your ignorance.  Even in the event that a person’s own decisions are entirely to blame for their circumstances, none among us have led a life entirely devoid of mistakes.  Sometimes the simplest of gestures, a smile or a kind word, can have an impact beyond your imagining. 

Have you ever driven through a winter storm, and had your car stuck in the snow?  Even if you haven’t, by picturing yourself in that situation you’ll realize how grateful you would be for the kindness of the stranger who stops and volunteers to help you out.  In Atlanta, a city unprepared to deal with heavy winter storms, it’s fairly common to see vehicles stuck on patches of ice and drivers spinning their wheels in futility.  Taking the extra few minutes to stop and help them out creates a ripple effect of goodwill, which they can share with others, and will add to their own sense of connectedness and self-worth as well.

Understanding the large effects our small acts of generosity can have is the first and most fundamental step in learning how to show compassion towards strangers.  It is a practice that will help alleviate the suffering of others, and transform our often cold, impersonal society into a more evolved community of interactive human beings.