The World Needs More Compassion

Washington DC., December 31, 2024 ——

As we ring in a New Year, I’m reflecting on so much going on in the world. The enormous amount of need across the globe is overwhelming. Where do we start to make a difference to ease the human suffering felt by so many? I’m one person in eight billion. How can I be the difference? Do you ever feel like that? To solve the issues that face us today, the world needs more compassion… more love… more kindness… more humanity. This is my New Year’s Wish for 2025… and always.

2024 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers. We lost friends this year… compassionate people giving their all in service to humanity during war, conflict, and violence. Humanitarians meet people, in most cases, on the worst days of their lives, and we cannot do this work without belief and faith. Much of the time, the people we serve are displaced and have lost everything. The people we meet are experiencing a level of human suffering that most of us will never experience.

Humanitarians also see the worst of humanity when people choose to hate, hurt, oppress, and destroy each other. Yet, even in the darkest moments, there is hope. We see hope in the presence of compassionate helpers, healers, and peacemakers. We see it in the courage of those who resist oppression and a brutal dictator in Syria, and in the resilience of those who survive against all odds.

Did you know … there are at least 122.6 million people displaced as a result of war, conflict, violence, and climate crisis? That’s one-third of the population of the United States. Can you imagine if one-third of our country was homeless… displaced… with nothing but what they could carry?

It is easy to disassociate with something that is not right in front of you, something that is happening on the other side of the planet. Right now, there are more than 120 armed conflicts, in some 50 countries, and as we have learned from every conflict in recent history, it is always the civilian community, especially women and children, who suffer the most.

Every crisis demands our immediate attention and support, action, and prayer. When war is between two parties, and the violence expands to include civilian territories, neighborhoods, and places that are legally off limits to fighting; when the loss of life is extensive – those things are difficult to reason and accept. Gaza is currently the deadliest place on earth for civilians.

In all of this, I have learned that compassion is the catalyst for action. Compassion is when our heart is moved to act, and we do what we can to help. Compassion is standing in solidarity with those who suffer; with those who cannot stand by themselves. Even if it is to find an organization making a difference in those situations or circumstances, sign petitions, volunteer, donate, and encourage others to do the same. There is so much people can do to help… to serve. It is not necessary to get on a plane… but it begins with being moved to act. It begins with compassion.

While we cannot eradicate every cruelty and injustice in the world, humanity can and must be a force for good. Discouraging conflict, showing love, protecting human rights, defending freedoms, promoting peace, and rejecting hate. That is what it means to be human… to be compassionate… to care… to do the right thing.

As we ring in 2025, let us remember the millions displaced throughout the world, trying to survive the most unimaginable struggles most of us will never face… and the humanitarians who sacrifice everything to help those suffering.

Here’s to a New Year filled with more compassion, humanity, hope, peace, and love. Happy New Year!

With gratitude… Lara

Photo: New Year’s Fireworks Display San Francisco 2024 by davidyuweb. Licensed under CC BY NC SA 2.0

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