“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”

~ Dalai Lama XIV, The Art of Happiness

I am a sucker for FREE! My wife would tell you, I haven't met a free t-shirt I didn't like. I'm usually the first in line for free samples...food is my weakness. On Veterans Day, I usually have the whole day mapped out of where I can get all the "free stuff!" Come on...a free carwash! Yes please. Subway had free subs this year...and I do LOVE their tuna. Thank you. Now with social media blasting you in the face, these "free" items have moved to cyberspace. This means, I don't even have to leave the comfort of my couch...and get stuff for free.

Unfortunately for many of us...Veterans Day only happens once a year. I'm here to tell you...it doesn't have to!

I joined the Air Force the fall of 1990. I joined to see the world. (I was sent to Northern California...TWICE.) My first assignment brought me six hours north of where I grew up. I didn't know it then, but I did see the world...only it was through someone else's eyes. In my spare time I began working with a local youth group. It was fun...and a very healthy way to stay active. Many of my co-workers in the Air Force were making some seriously bad choices and receiving punishment...losing pay, and sometimes even getting kicked out of the Air Force. So...youth group it was. Rich Hanson was the leader of the youth ministries at Parkway Community Church at the time. It was Rich who taught me about the most expensive thing in the world. This item...this gift was extremely valuable. The kicker...I could give it for FREE. Over and over again. This item Rich was talking about....MY TIME. I've been paying forward eversince.

As I began to layout a plan for this Pursuit of Compassion...I remembered this lesson Rich taught me 23 years ago. Then the lightbulb went off. Being compassionate...well...that is FREE too! Yesterday as the temps began to plummet, I went shopping for food to hold us over during the bitter cold days ahead. I spent an extra 30 seconds at the grocery cart bin and passed out five carts. WOW! The looks...the smiles. All FREE...and it took me 30 seconds. It was really windy too. So I held the door open for the three people behind me. It was as if I found the cure for cancer. I didn't...I just held the door open.