Compassion...what is that? Many of us view it as simply being kind to others and trying to understand their side of things. That is a pretty general and good definition and sounds simple, yet many of us do not do it regularly. We are all here together on this planet living our lives through good times and bad. The act of compassion is to open your heart and treat every person you come in contact with as a friend. This can be a life long friend or partner, or simply the person you let into your lane on the highway. A simply way of becoming aware of this is to ask yourself, "what would I want someone to do or how would I want someone to act towards me in this situation?"
Now this is more than just having good manners. You need to do it from your heart and truly mean it. Gratitude, kindness, sacrifice, and giving to another are all rolled into this as well. We have all heard it is better to give than to receive. I know many of you that have given selflessly to someone knows the reward. Try looking your cashier in the eye and saying thank you with a smile. Not only will you see them smile you will also feel it inside. It comes back to you just as anything else you do. Law of attraction continues to work in compassion as well. When you let someone in your lane while driving and they wave at you, doesn't that make you feel good? So why are we not doing it more often? Instead many of us are more likely to get upset because someone cut us off, gave us lackluster service, or treated us bad. Take a moment to consider what the person is going through instead of jumping to a conclusion or perception of what is happening. The notion to kill people with kindness stands strong even if only to help yourself. By being kind to others you are choosing to lead a happy positive life without letting the actions of others get to you and bring you down.
Another side of compassion it to really listen to others. Being compassionate does not mean you have to agree with what they are saying or doing, but that you are just giving them a chance to speak. By showing interest and compassion in what they are going through it can help you understand their actions towards you and others. Take this as an opportunity to show them kindness and love. Below are a few random things you can do throughout your day big and small to show compassion. Try a few and see how great they make you feel:
- Pay the toll for the car behind you.
- If you have a regular server or cashier at your favorite place take them a card or flowers and tell them how much you enjoy seeing them each time.
- Wash the dishes, clean the house, fold the clothes in the dryer for your roommates or partner.
- Cook or Bake a meal/snack for someone who is busy or going through a tough time.
- Offer to do the yard work for a neighbor, just because.
- Take a friend to lunch and tell them how much you appreciate them.
- Listen to a child's story, no matter how wild and out there it is, and play along.
- Take a few shopping carts into the store from the parking lot next time you walk in.
- Tell someone thank you for what they do, no matter how small.
It does not have to be something major or cost money. Love and kindness can make everything else in life seem so small and minimal, because it truly is the greatest power on earth. And you need to do it with no hidden meaning or agenda. Simply be compassionate just because. I challenge you to look back at your day yesterday and look for moments when you could have used compassion or when you did. Also go through today and make it a game to see how friendly and kind you can be to every single person you come in contact. Leave your comments below on things that you did to practice compassion or that you witnessed others doing! Pass this challenge on to your friends on Facebook, make it a game of doing one item of your choosing a day. It is infectious and before you know it you will not be able to go a day without the personal reward of being compassionate! Remember it is not just about you, open your mind and view of life and treat others as you would want to be treated.
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion...Compassion is not religious business, it is human business, it is not a luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival." - Dalai Lama
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