260826 What I learned in my studies this morning 6

Today's Meditation:

The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh (ed by Melvin McLeod), Pure Land

Compassion and empathy are crucial. If I want to live up to my ideals, that is the place to start.

Think of the person first.

Put myself in their situation.

Give the benefit of the doubt.

Give understanding. 

=====

What It's Like by Everlast (1998)

We've all seen a man at the liquor store beggin' for your change

The hair on his face is dirty, dread-locked, and full of mange

He asks a man for what he could spare, with shame in his eyes

"Get a job you fucking slob, " is all he replies

God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes

'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues

...

Then you really might know what it's like

...

Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom that said he was in love

He said, "Don't worry about a thing, baby doll, I'm the man you've been dreaming of"

Three months later he say he won't date her or return her calls

And she swear, "Goddamn, if I find that man I'm cuttin' off his balls"

And then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walking through the door

They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner and they call her a whore

God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes

'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose

...

Then you really might know what it's like

I've seen a rich man beg

I've seen a good man sin

I've seen a tough man cry

I've seen a loser win

And a sad man grin

I heard an honest man lie (uh)

I've seen the good side of bad

And the downside of up

And everything between

...

I knew this kid named Max

Who used to get fat stacks out on the corner with drugs

He liked to hang out late

He liked to get shit-faced and keep the pace with thugs

Until late one night, there was a big gunfight and Max lost his head

He pulled out his chrome .45, talked some shit, and wound up dead

Now his wife and his kids are caught in the midst of all of this pain

You know it comes that way, at least that's what they say when you play the game

God forbid you ever had to wake up to hear the news

'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to lose