Stories for Compassionate Seattle

The self-organizing network in Seattle.

Being Human Ain’t Easy: Unexpected Lessons from His Holiness the 17th Karmapa

Being Human Ain’t Easy: Unexpected Lessons from His Holiness the 17th Karmapa

We surely can’t complain about the mystery and thrill of being alive. Yet, regardless of one’s walk of life, it just isn’t easy being human. Like the tilted spinning of the Earth traveling through the Milky Way, having balance in one moment does not necessarily mean we will have it in the next. Life is messy. We are each challenged by the struggles of maintaining harmony in our relationships, by the incessant demand of finances and making a living, and of nurturing the physical and mental...

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Mayors as Leaders in the Compassion Movement

Mayors as Leaders in the Compassion Movement

As citizens, we understand the power of public policy and the choices that a Mayor can make. We know that budgets are moral documents that reflect the values of our community and are then carried out by our elected officials. We also know that now is a tough time to hold public office with so many fellow citizens distrusting the government and the political process.  Therefore, we think it is particularly meaningful to recognize outstanding leaders who are committed to integrating compassion...

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Compassion Torch and The Fremont Summer Solstice Parade

Compassion Torch and The Fremont Summer Solstice Parade

Team Seattle is organizing for the 2014 Compassion Games and has adopted a theme - the "art of compassion”. Therefore it was the perfect setting to kick off the 2014 pre-games by joining in on the Fremont Summer Solstice Parade. Fremont, also known as the Artists Republic of Fremont, is a neighborhood in Seattle that identifies itself as the "center of the universe." The heart and soul of this community is the Fremont Arts Council who have produced the parade for over 20 years.  Members of the...

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Looking for compassionate solutions to gun violence

Submitted by What's Good 206 Why should you care about gun violence? "It has no race, no creed, no age barriers. If it hasn't affected you yet, it will if it continues." Stark words from one man interviewed in this array of community voices recorded at an anti-gun violence rally at Seattle's Martin Luther King Memorial Park. "It needs to be talked about among your family and friends," says a police officer. "We have to work to get the community out to say we've had enough of the gun violence...

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Smarter & more compassionate schools? Yes we can!

Submitted by What's Good 206 Build more compassionate schools by combining students of different ages in the classroom, and fully integrating schools, says a 17-year-old high school senior who has written a book advocating overhaul of the educational system. In this video produced by What's Good 206, Nikhil Goyal also advises educators to start treating students respectfully and invite them into the conversation about their education. Directed by AUSTIN WILLIAMS Hosted by STARLA SAMPACO Edited...

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You are compassion

Submitted by Dee Williams Many people are studying compassion in order to introduce it into schools and other places. Some say it should be taught. Others have won awards for their programs that teach about compassion. Cities are touted as being the most compassionate. I guess this might be similar to the idea that “a corporation is a person”. Are we really ready to get serious about compassion? Even just saying the word may evoke a spark of “something” for you or me. I know that when I say or...

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Representatives of the Compassion Games Address the Seattle City Council and Council Members Help Spread the Word

On September 10, 2012, representatives of the Compassion Games: Survival of the Kindest briefed the Seattle city council on the goals and plans for the Compassion Games. The Council members committed to engage and help spread the word to their constituents. For example, council member Nick Licata posted about the Compassion Games and the briefing on his official blog. Jon Ramer with Compassionate Seattle network is the Head Gamemaker (for all you Hunger Games fans) of the Compassion Games. He...

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9/11 11 Years Later

Today is the 11th anniversary of 9/11, a day that changed so much for so many people. I know that it changed everything for me. What about for you? I'll never forget that Friday evening after 9/11 Shabbat service where Rabbi Ted Falcon invited Imam Jamal Rahman to speak, to make sure that people saw a different face of Islam. It was 9/11 that brought Ted, Jamal and Pastor Don McKenzie together to form the Interfaith Amigos. My work in Seattle on helping to create a culture of compassion,...

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September 21st – Good Star Alignment for the Compassion Games

Early on we realized that September 21st was an ideal day to start the Compassion Games not only because it’s the United Way’s Day of Caring, but also because it’s the autumnal fall equinox and the much beloved International Day of Peace. Fortunately this year, the Peace, Compassion, Happiness, Empathy, Understanding, Love and Generosity movements are all working together. We’re all after the same ideal of a better world for our children and grandchildren no matter what you call it. Compassion...

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Our Stand for Compassion at Seattle Center

Our Stand for Compassion at Seattle Center

As part of Compassionate Seattle's plan to create “collective impact” we put together a physical “stand for compassion” that was on display at Seattle Center. On seven occasions we set up our stand and engaged with fellow citizens about our community and our plans to create a culture of compassion in our region.  We learned how people think and feel about compassion and how they see or don't see themselves connected to other people and the greater community. I came to believe that we are not...

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