Compassion plays an enormous role in your becoming a more peaceful and happy person. When you are aware of—and when you care about—people all over this beautiful planet and what they are going through, you feel connected to others and your own problems are put into perspective.
When I suggest reflecting on the map, I’m advising people to become at least a little bit aware of the plight of people all around the world. By becoming if not involved, at least aware of the hunger, violence, poverty, hopelessness, wars, disease, drought, famine, and other serious problems that exist, you become more philosophical about what you yourself are going through, whatever that might be. Rather than being zeroed in on your own concerns and problems, you expand your vision to encompass the rest of humanity.
Another way to look at it is this: Imagine your own problems shoved up against your face—right there in front of you at all times. Now imagine how relieved you’d be if you simply could put some distance between yourself and those problems. The problems would still be there; they would just look a tiny bit less intense and intimidating. That’s exactly what happens to your perception of your problems when you become aware of the problems of others.
All of us are born into a certain set of circumstances, and it’s unrealistic to think that you’re ever going to get to a point where you’re never frustrated. Everyone gets frustrated, angry, down, anxious, and all the rest, regardless of his or her circumstances.
The idea of reflecting on the map is not to compare your situation with that of others and then feel guilty if your circumstances seem or are easier than someone else’s. Nor is the idea to say to yourself, “Gee, my situation isn’t so bad after all—I shouldn’t ever get upset.” Instead, the idea is to be grateful that you’re in a position to be able to reflect on the map, that you’re aware of what goes on around the world, and that you’re able to feel compassion for others. In addition, becoming more aware of the hardships around the globe reminds you, vividly, that everyone has problems—many far more serious than our own. This added bit of perspective doesn’t minimize what you’re going through, nor does it suggest that your life isn’t difficult. It is difficult. Yet this viewpoint does allow you to keep everything in better perspective. And perspective is a powerful tool in the game of life.
Everyone I know who spends time reflecting on the map has become a more grateful and compassionate person. Often these people are able to let go of little things far more easily than before. In addition, they are almost always drawn to do something, however small, to be of help. Simply spending a little time and energy thinking about why we should be grateful makes us realize how small the world really is and how unnecessary it is to sweat the small stuff.