--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I could have one wish, it would be for…" description: "\"If I could have one wish, it would be for people to look at one another with open hearts and minds. Most of all, to look at each other with compassion...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28d/sherrilyn-kenyon-25_compassion_if-i-could-have-one-wish-it-would-be-for_3035735.jpg" --- # If I could have one wish, it would be for people to look… ![“If I could have one wish, it would be for people to look at one another with open hearts and minds. Most of all, to look at each other with compassion. No matter who they are.” quote by Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28d/sherrilyn-kenyon-25_compassion_if-i-could-have-one-wish-it-would-be-for_3035735.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28d/sherrilyn-kenyon-25_compassion_if-i-could-have-one-wish-it-would-be-for_3035735.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28d/sherrilyn-kenyon-25_compassion_if-i-could-have-one-wish-it-would-be-for_3035735.jpg) > “If I could have one wish, it would be for people to look at one another with open hearts and minds. Most of all, to look at each other with compassion. No matter who they are.” [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A wish for universal empathy, urging people to view each other with open hearts, minds, and compassion regardless of identity. **In simple terms:** Encourage empathy and compassion toward everyone. Key Takeaway Practice open‑hearted listening. Themes empathy compassion unity Mood hopeful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - community building - conflict resolution - education - interpersonal relationships - public speaking Key Concepts human connection inclusive mindset Questions to Reflect On - How can you show compassion to someone you disagree with? - What barriers prevent open‑hearted listening? A Different Perspective Compassion alone may not solve systemic injustices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Heart and mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart-and-mind/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Open heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/open-heart/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [Your every act can open hearts and minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-deida/your-every-act-can-open-hearts-and-minds/) [David Deida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-deida/) > [We need open minds and open hearts when we wrestle with the past and ask questions of it, and the answers it will provide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eamon-duffy/we-need-open-minds-and-open-hearts-when-we-wrestle-with-the-past-and/) Eamon Duffy > [What the world needs most is openness: Open hearts, open doors, open eyes, open minds, open ears, open souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-muller/what-the-world-needs-most-is-openness-open-hearts-open-doors-open/) [Robert Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-muller/) > [Inspire, share Love, join hands, open hearts.. We are here for each other](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurel-burch/inspire-share-love-join-hands-open-hearts-we-are-here-for-each-other/) [Laurel Burch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurel-burch/) > [My Open Hearts Family celebrates not only the traditional family but also extended families that we create from the people we open our hearts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-seymour/my-open-hearts-family-celebrates-not-only-the-traditional-family-but/) [Jane Seymour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-seymour/) > [We take a risk when we open our hearts because the truth is, if we open our hearts, we will get hurt. You can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-take-a-risk-when-we-open-our-hearts-because-the-truth-is-if-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I believe we as humans are meant to have a bond and a connection with all of life itself, and our animals are trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-louise-birmingham/i-believe-we-as-humans-are-meant-to-have-a-bond-and-a-connection-with/) [Catherine Louise Birmingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-louise-birmingham/) > [“O Lord open our hearts to heed to thy holy word.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/o-lord-open-our-hearts-to-heed-to-thy-holy-word/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [South Africa is blessed to have women and men like yourselves who have little to give but give what you have with open hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mangosuthu-buthelezi/south-africa-is-blessed-to-have-women-and-men-like-yourselves-who/) [Mangosuthu Buthelezi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mangosuthu-buthelezi/) > [The Open Hearts design was inspired by my Mom's advice that only when you keep your heart open can you best give and receive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-seymour/the-open-hearts-design-was-inspired-by-my-mom-s-advice-that-only-when/) [Jane Seymour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-seymour/) > [I spend my afternoons painting and working on my Open Hearts jewelry line for Kay Jewelers. I designed an image of a heart that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-seymour/i-spend-my-afternoons-painting-and-working-on-my-open-hearts-jewelry/) [Jane Seymour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-seymour/) > [The future belongs to thouse with open minds aand open hearts, who can appreciate beauty in all it's forms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevyn-aucoin/the-future-belongs-to-thouse-with-open-minds-aand-open-hearts-who-can/) [Kevyn Aucoin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevyn-aucoin/) > [In the moment when we are able to smile, to look at ourselves with compassion, our world begins to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/in-the-moment-when-we-are-able-to-smile-to-look-at-ourselves-with/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [This dying forces you to look into yourself. And in this, compassion is the only way. Love is the only way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/this-dying-forces-you-to-look-into-yourself-and-in-this-compassion-is/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [Differences in religious beliefs, politics, social status, and position are all secondary. When we look at someone with compassion, we are able to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/differences-in-religious-beliefs-politics-social-status-and-position/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## More by Sherrilyn Kenyon > [Grandma, please. It’s okay. Dad’s doing a great job. I give him kudos for at least being calm and rational, and not losing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/grandma-please-it-s-okay-dad-s-doing-a-great-job-i-give-him-kudos-for/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [I just can’t, Nick, okay? Now, please give me a second to lie here in silence and bleed.” – Caleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-just-can-t-nick-okay-now-please-give-me-a-second-to-lie-here-in/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“You are my life.” -Maris”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/you-are-my-life-maris/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [It's easy to make mistakes. It's living with the consequences of them that's the hardest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/it-s-easy-to-make-mistakes-it-s-living-with-the-consequences-of-them/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“I don't know," Valerius said. " I hear some godawful kind of music from outside, horns blaring, and I'm in a house with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-don-t-know-valerius-said-i-hear-some-godawful-kind-of-music-from/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [Got to say, dying would really wreck my best day. Been there, done that, and now that I think about it, Artemis forgot to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/got-to-say-dying-would-really-wreck-my-best-day-been-there-done-that/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“Careful, human,” Hauk warned, showing Darling his fangs. “I might get hungry one of these nights and decide we no longer need a weaptech.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/careful-human-hauk-warned-showing-darling-his-fangs-i-might-get/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“Be that as it may, we do need you in particular to complete this assignment. (Syd) What is it with you government assholes that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/be-that-as-it-may-we-do-need-you-in-particular-to-complete-this/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [The only way to have eternal love is to never let your heart forget what it’s like to live without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/the-only-way-to-have-eternal-love-is-to-never-let-your-heart-forget/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“I'm only one kill away from Command Assassin. Be a damn shame for that kill to be you" (Darion)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-m-only-one-kill-away-from-command-assassin-be-a-damn-shame-for-that/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [I’m getting all warm and fuzzy inside at the prospect of these demon things roaming the street, preying on us. (Tate)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-m-getting-all-warm-and-fuzzy-inside-at-the-prospect-of-these-demon/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“Then Olympus it is. But do try to behave. I know it’s hard for you, but… (Delphine) I won’t piss on the floor. (Jericho)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/then-olympus-it-is-but-do-try-to-behave-i-know-it-s-hard-for-you-but/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [Funny how internal scars never healed. They were the souvenirs of the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/funny-how-internal-scars-never-healed-they-were-the-souvenirs-of-the/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“Hear me Isis as I pray. See her pain and take it all away. Let the heaven's light shine bright from above. And wrap…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/hear-me-isis-as-i-pray-see-her-pain-and-take-it-all-away-let-the/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) [Explore all 3,050 Sherrilyn Kenyon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) Segun Magbagbeola > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/) Talib al Habib > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) [Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I could have one wish, it would be for people to look at one another with open hearts and minds. 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