Sympathy Without Tea

It is not a hard thing to offer sympathetic understanding to friends and loved ones. We feel they deserve it, and we are happy to stand by them in times of need. As the Greek poet Homer said, “A sympathetic friend can be quite as dear as a brother.” However, what about those who have been unkind or hurtful to us? How do we respond when we see these people hurting from loss or difficulties? That is another matter altogether for most of us.

Scouts and Scouters must be willing to show the same degree of sympathy to those who do not deserve it from us as we do for our friends. When people are hurting, and we can be a support to them, there is no getting away from it. As French writer Joseph Joubert said, “A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.” That is what being sympathetic is about – it’s about love.

“Kindness does not require us to be blind to facts or to live infancies, but it does require

us to cherish a habit of goodwill, ready to show pity if sorrow appears,

and slow to turn away even if hostility appears.”

Alexander Maclaren

1826-1910

Clergyman

Jesus gave us a command that we love others as He loved us. That means that at times we must show that love to people who may not deserve it from us. Scouts realize that showing that love will not only change the person in need but will change us as well. Barbara DeAngelis said, “Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.”

Being sympathetic, the giving of love and kindness to others works on the same principle as the giving of finances. It is the natural law of sowing and reaping. Someday you may need to receive help from others, and you do not want to be found empty. George Washington Carver said, “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.”

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey