Build with Clay #126: Compassion
A bi-weekly newsletter sparking personal growth
Hi, reader!
Today’s trivia: Which candy bar is named after the Mars family horse?
With that, welcome to the 126th newsletter! This one is all about Compassion.
A Story.
In October of 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated the mountains of North Carolina. In the days after, relief efforts ramped up.
Four days after the storm, I drove up to volunteer for the day. I found a church where volunteer efforts were being coordinated, but the parking lot was full. I was directed up the road to an ancillary lot. I exited my car and hopped on the shuttle that would take me back to the church so I could sign-up and receive my assignment for the day.
On the shuttle, a young couple sat across the aisle from me.
I asked, “Have you volunteered already?”
“No, we just drove in this morning.”
“Where are you coming in from?”, I replied.
“Arizona.”
“Wow! How did you get here?”
“We flew into Virginia and drove the rest of the way. But so many of the roads were shut down or impassable. It took a while, but we made it.”
“What is your connection to the area?”
“No connection. We just saw people who needed help so we came.”
A thought.
My friend, ML, shared on my podcast how to differentiate between sympathy, empathy and compassion:
Imagine walking down a path and seeing someone stuck in a deep hole in the ground:
Sympathy is walking by, seeing the person down there, and telling them, “I am so sorry you are stuck in that hole”, and continuing on down the path.
Empathy is walking by, seeing the person down there, jumping into the hole and telling them, “Wow, this really stinks. I know exactly how you feel to be stuck in this hole.”
Compassion is walking by, seeing the person down there, and saying, “Oh no, I’m so sorry you’re stuck. I’ll be right back, let me go get you a ladder.”
This couple I met on the shuttle bus had compassion.
Their compassion reignited my faith in humanity.
There is so much compassion in the world.
Despite our differences. Despite our challenges. Despite everything.
There are kind, loving and compassionate people who will grab the proverbial ladder and be there for friends, families and strangers.
How do you show compassion?
A quote.
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion”
- Dalai Lama
Answer: The Snickers candy bar was named after the Mars family's favorite horse, also called Snickers, which was a beloved Thoroughbred on their Milky Way Farm. In 1930, just before the release of the new candy bar, the horse passed away, and the family chose to honor their cherished pet by naming the chocolate bar after him.