Last year I heard of a blogging event named 1000 Voice Speak for Compassion. On a whim I decided to join. During the the couple of weeks leading up to the event I did a handful of posts and then a follow up after it was over. That was a year ago. In fact, yesterday it was exactly a year, the original event being held February 20, 2015. This little one off quickly became a monthly event. Including the posts for the first event I have put up over a dozen #1000Speak posts. Actually, including reminders, I have done 17 posts, 18 including this one.
In this year I’ve talked about huge celebrities (both in name and physical size) helping common people and about little, common people reaching out to those in pain. I’ve talked about love, empathy, forgiveness, gratitude, bullying, prisoners and our shared humanity. I’ve used ultra-aggressive drivers who are blissfully unaware that their aggression actually puts them behind, not ahead, as an analogy of how unaware we often are when we hurt others. I asked how we can make the world a better place, and if our tiny input can make a difference. I even posted a short story. You can search my site for #1000speak, though the I didn’t include it on first few d so you’ll miss them, though most of those show up in that recap post I mentioned.
Besides all of the exploration on my blog, I also read many other people’s take. Some were very eye opening. Some shocking. Others seemed to share my world view. I try to keep a very open mind and so learned a lot from each and every post I read, even those that seemed bitter or had vastly different experiences.
I think this year with #1000Speak has made me a better blogger. I have put up more posts about kindness, empathy and compassion that were not part of #1000speak. For several weeks I did a series called A Smile a Day. I’ve since cut it back to The Weekly Smile (#weeklysmile). This is weekly link-up that encourages people to share something that made them smile, something positive to help counterbalance all of the negativity we see around us. (Hint, hint ;) ).
The year has also made me a better person. I’ve thought more about compassion. I’ve thought more about the people in the world. And I’ve tried to do small things to help. Nothing earth shattering, but every little bit helps. For isn’t that the whole idea of #1000Speak? If one of us speaks up we might effect a few people and make some very slight difference, but if we all raise our voices and people hear us, join us and raise their voice, well perhaps we can make the world a better place. Not alone, but together.
And that is part of what compassion is all about: together.
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This post is part of the 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. I’ve had a personal vision of compassion that I’ve been sharing on most of my posts on the subject:
Empathy is the glue that holds society together and compassion is what makes a group of people a civilization. Without holding our hands out to our fellow humans we become savages. We are all in this together, in a closed system, so we must all help each other. How lonely life must be for those selfish people who don’t realize this simple truth! How lonely for anyone who doesn’t realize that all are our brothers and sisters! How lonely must the self-righteous be!
Find out more about this movement. See the 1000 Voices Speak blogsite and the Facebook page. And add your voice to our 1000 voices all speaking about compassion! To see more for this month or add your post, see the “Linky”
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Note – the photo has nothing at all to do with anything. When i was looking for the perfect image I decided this was pretty :)
Trent's World (the Blog) 
What a year it was.
:-)
Here’s hoping the change and growth in compassion continues.
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Together is a powerful concept – there is much we humans can accomplish if we work together for a common goal. Loved reading your reflections on how #1000Speak has affected you and your writing. Glad you’re with us!
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Thanks! It has been quite a year and it’s been great to be part of something like this. All of us together may acheive something, and the more who read our messages, the farther it will spread.
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Beautiful summary post and what heart! Two things come to my mind right away and one was related to the comment about driving erratic puts them actually behind (my paraphrase ) because an NBA player just lost his wife in a car crash and I guess some crazy driver (speeding) was the cause – and his grace filled eulogy has made rounds this week – and so I am very passionate about what you mention – but especially the driving and lethal consequences!
Also passionate about the empathy and we know teens need to learn it – but often forget adults often do as well!
Cool cause and your contributions just enrich it more – 💕
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I commend you for your work with 1000 voices Trent, it’s very worthwhile to have people realise we need to be a one world community showing compassion to others. I wonder if I might ask you to look at my second site sometime where in a different way I ask the same thing.
https://lorddavidprosser1.wordpress.com/
Hugs
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No offense, but I think I like your “The BUTHIDARS” blog better than the diary one. But you include good music on both so…
We are one world community. Just a little compassion can make a huge difference in the world, yet today we hear about and read about hate much more often. You are right, we need a new “Hippie Generation” to go against the hate and greed. But in the mean time I guess people like us can try to have the revolution in quieter ways and write what we feel.
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No offence taken Trent. Mi normal blog was started to appeal to readers of my books and just grew from there into a diary. It certainly doesn’t suit everyone. But the Buthidars covers my more serious side so I leave this one alone.
Hugs
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Trent, like you I am so glad I became part of this group. It’s significantly changed my life and given my desire to make a difference added force and direction. Unfortunately, given my health issues, “writing about it” is my thing while I have to leave much of the doing to others. That said, we each have our place where we are most effective and words are just as mighty as the sword! Should never belittle them.
Keep smiling xx Rowena
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You are right, the pen is mightier than the sword. For the most part my change has mostly been in writing. Sometimes it’s not just my writing,but comments I make. I always tried to be aware, but now doubly so.
It has been a great experience. I’ve also met a few bloggers on it. I don’t remember if I met you there or on a Weekend Coffee share.
have a great week :)
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I met you and Solveig at Coffee share but was pleased to find you both over there. I’ve also met quite a few bloggers through it and as well as writing about compassion and understanding, I’ve also experienced it. I feel such a sense of acceptance, being loved and belonging there. It’s just beautiful! Wish the real world was like that too! xx Rowena
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