If one wants to experience compassion and gratitude all they have to do is visit a hospital waiting room.
It happened to me today while picking someone up after a minor procedure.
There I saw a lot of people in pain waiting for service. Many were in pain or caught up in anxiety and confusion. There was a lot of suffering in one concentrated place.
Now I'm not saying we should seek to practice compassion at the expense of anyone. But when we do come upon suffering - even though we can't help directly - we should use the opportunity to wish them well. Pray that their suffering decreases, wish them a speedy recovery. It might help them; it'll for sure help those who pray.
As to gratitude, we can be thankful for ourselves and all others who are free of suffering. Because in this condition we can help and give back to the rest of the world.
