March 18, 2021

Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi all have this |David T.S. Wood

21 minutes

Mahatma Gandhi. Nelson Mandela. Mother Teresa. Oprah Winfrey. What do they all have in common? What sets them apart? They were and are some of the most compassionate people in the world. Their legacies will endure throughout history. Why? Because they are freedom-fighters and philanthropists, driven by compassion. In this episode of My Extra Mile, David T.S. Wood uses these famous examples to drive home the need to embrace a compassionate mindset every single day.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

Examples of people who left a legacy of compassion
How compassion must grow from within you
The ability of compassion to change someone’s life
David’s challenge to live more compassionately

Famous examples to learn from

Gandhi was a lawyer who lived in South Africa and was heavily persecuted for the color of his skin (apartheid endured In South Africa until 1994). He went back to India and eventually led them to independence from British rule. Gandhi endorsed a peaceful process to right wrongs through compassion—not hatred. He lived with a level of compassion that mobilized an entire nation.

Nelson Mandela was a South African political leader, philanthropist, and anti-apartheid revolutionary. Mother Teresa was a Roman-Catholic nun who dedicated her life to caring for the poor. She became one of the most powerful people in the world and opened doors because of her compassion. Oprah Winfrey’s ability to connect and identify with humanity set her apart. She’s known around the world for her philanthropy. All of these great people in history wielded a sword of compassion.

Compassion must grow from within

David emphasizes that compassion is something that has to start internally. You have to learn to be compassionate with yourself. Stop comparing yourself with other people. Dark energies of jealousy and self-loathing will start to creep in. Self-love diminishes. You must be compassionate with yourself to be compassionate with others.

David has learned to see people as people. All people—regardless of their economic background, their education, the color of their skin, or their beliefs—are people. Everyone’s hearts beat the same. This is a fragile life. We have physical and emotional fragility. We all carry wounds from the past. Compassion is a powerful force that connects humanity and allows you to connect on a deep and meaningful level.

Challenge your long-held stereotypes

Walk up to someone. What goes through your head? Do you immediately judge their appearance? Does it evoke fear in you? You can find a man in a leather jacket and covered in tattoos completely intimidating. But he could be the father of three young kids and one of the kindest men you’ll ever meet. David challenges you to practice extreme compassion. Whoever it is that you walk up to, project a different thought pattern. Project interest and fascination instead of fear and judgment.

Compassion may change someone’s life

David had a conversation with a friend’s daughter in which she used the blanket statement that “Hitch-hiking is dangerous.” David challenged her stereotype. He doesn’t see it as bad or necessarily unsafe and will gladly pick up hitchhikers on the side of the road and give them a ride and a meal.

Years ago, David was driving through rural Zimbabwe and he picked up a hitchhiker. A few months later, she came and lived with David and Pam in Canada. That hitch-hiking experience changed her life. Her family in Zimbabwe was deeply impacted when former President Robert Mugabe seized the farms of every white family living there. Meeting David led to a series of events which allowed her to provide for her family. If you live in fear and live by blanket statements and stereotypes, it pushes you away from compassion.

David’s challenge to you: Take 90 days and notice every time you move out of compassion. Take a moment, open your eyes, and have a beautiful conversation. Push fear aside and move into a richer and deeper connection. Watch what happens when you learn to lead with compassion.

Resources & People Mentioned