I love artichokes.I wonder sometimes who discovered the heart? Think  of all the prickly,coarse leaves he /she would have had to go through to reach that tender,succulent ,delicious center. It’s like that with people, I find. But sometimes instead of focussing on the prickly leaves if we concentrate on the center,(the goodness) of each person we discover that often the leaves part and we can see straight through to the sweet heart inside. It may not happen immediately but if we persist with compassion it will shine through and we can then taste the beauty of that soul.The important thing is: don’t give up and don’t expect; it will come in its own time and meanwhile we will, by our intent and perseverance, be tasting our own center.