Morning Musings – 90 Days of Inspiration: Day 34

Messages from the Heart: Compassion

What does it mean to have compassion?

Compassion is showing kindness, caring and a willingness to help others. It is a positive emotion whereby you are thoughtful, walk in another’s shoes for just a moment, and the capacity to understand the emotional state of another or even yourself.

Is there enough compassion in today’s world? This is a good question to ask.

I believe compassion has gotten lost in the middle of the chaos. We have forgotten to hold space for either ourselves or for others so there can be healing and understanding. We also are fueling an environment heavy with judgments in all areas of life including our personal lives and in the workplace. Just open your social media and it is ripe with lack of compassion, so much hate and ripping others apart. For what reason? Our energy could be better spent reaching out to others and asking, “how may I help you?”

When was the last time you truly felt or showed compassion?

Out of the thought of love comes the thought of compassion, and from the thought of compassion the thought of enlightenment emerges.

–ATISA (982-1054) Tibet

Without compassion, we lose the humanity in our interactions. The view becomes skewed in the direction of what is wrong with the person rather than recognizing they need to be heard and understood.

In our fast-paced world today, taking the time to truly listen has taken a back seat. We may hear every other word, become irritated, and communication is fractured. Compassion is nowhere to be seen.

I am constantly amazed at the lack of attention given in any situation with the consequences being a negative outcome. Showing compassion can only render positive results because it slows down the mental processing creating an opportunity to resolve conflict, internally or externally.

It seems we are afraid to either ask for help or not willing to give help. But isn’t giving a hand up one of life’s greatest virtues?

Whether we reach out to others or we dig within to find the will to push ourselves forward, doing whatever is necessary for the change desired to experience a different outcome, compassion is a key ingredient.

Consider the following:

• Compassion is one of the building blocks for a strong personal foundation. When you show someone compassion, they will respond with gratitude. This, in turn, will create a synergistic unfolding of events that would change the trajectory of both lives.
• Compassion is free, why not give it in abundance? You will be surprised at how it will positively impact your own life.
• Compassion is the essence of the wholeness of life, a catalyst for moving forward on the steppingstones toward higher awareness.

I challenge you to slip compassion into your exchanges for the next week. Instead of being reactive towards someone, stop and really listen. You don’t even have to say anything, just lend an ear. If you feel compelled to assist in some way, then you will be doing your part to help make this a better world. Just maybe, compassion will find its way into your heart and a seed is planted at the core allowing thoughts to shift into a well of giving.