Jack Kornfield
Compassion – a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a wish to help them”
Cambridge English Dictionary
Everyone, with the exception of perhaps some psychopaths, has the ability to feel compassion towards others. Studies have shown that some psychopaths have the ability to feel compassion but need to switch it on and focus on feeling compassion rather than it coming naturally.
What about Compassion for Yourself?
When we list the people we care about, the people we want to help, the people we have sympathy for, etc – do we include ourselves?
If not, why not?
If you are not including yourself in the list, then perhaps your list is incomplete.
Surely, if we don’t think we are worth wasting time and energy on, then others could possibly feel the same way?
What is compassion?
Showing compassion means being kind, caring and willing to help.
It allows us to understand someone else’s situation and gives us the desire to take action to improve things for them in some way.
It brings patience, wisdom, kindness, perseverance, warmth and resolve to a situation.
Are you not worth some of that?
Forgive yourself if you make a mistake, you’re human. Accept yourself for who you are. Love yourself.
If you are not doing this for yourself, not only will others not always feel able to offer it to you but it can make it difficult to genuinely extend compassion to others.
Taking time to care for yourself is not a waste of time, remember, we talked about this in an earlier post.
Small Steps to Compassion
Start with small steps. If you have never been kind to yourself, start with one small thing today and let me know how you’re getting on.
