Sheryl Crow says “if compassion was the motivating factor behind all our decisions, would our world not be a completely different place?” I say absolutely.
How can compassion come into the equation when we talk about the Law of Attraction? It does in each and every day, through the things we do and the way we react to whatever situations are presented to us.
When we stop and look at what is currently around us, we can see how modern technology and society have allowed people to feel we have a right to express exactly what is at the forefront of their mind, without giving consideration or compassion to the effects of what we are about to say or do. How frequently do we see reality shows or news items bring peoples harsh comments towards innocents, who are only trying to make a break in their life’s journey. Did they stop to think how it may feel to be in that person’s shoes?
Life is challenging enough and we are facing challenges each and every day. We want and need words of encouragement, love and warmth. Whether we succeed or fail, so it’s disheartening to think without compassion we may miss the love and abundance that is surrounding us.
Here are some tips to enable you to bring compassion into your life.
Life’s Lesson
Life isn’t perfect. And as a friend recently said ‘you don’t have to be perfect, to be perfect.’ But looking at what has been presented to us, what lessons we must learn, and looking at these through the eyes of compassion, will enable us to see things differently and enable us to see the good in the lesson we had to learn.
Facing a difficult situation
How easy it could be to run. But, how much would it eat at you that you never dealt with the situation. You never brought compassion to that situation or person that has created a difficult situation in your life. Breathe, breathe deep long breathes. Review the situation and look at a compassionate way in which you could deal with it. Whether it be expressing to the person how made you feel or suggesting alternatives to resolve the situation. It may also be a situation of facing your own ego and realising a ‘Sorry’ and an explanation is in order.
Take one more step
We so easily become complacent in doing things our own way. Have you ever thought to allow someone else to have it their way, and not always your way? In our day-to-day life, this can be as simple as allowing our partner or family member to have the remote control, or going to the movies allowing someone else to have a choice for a change. Or how about the things we do day in and day out, opening a door and letting some else through first, allowing someone else your seat on public transport if they’re pregnant or elderly or looking like they truly needed it more than you.
Give a random gift
We never truly know what is happening in someone else’s life. We can make our own speculations. Why not make someone’s day by a random act of kindness. You could buy a stranger or work colleague a coffee, sending flowers to a friend, ring someone you have spoken to for a while, give a homeless person $20 or buy them some food, send someone you love a card to tell them so or simply ask if a person if they’re okay. Showing your compassion, and seeing their smile is one of life’s simple pleasures.
What are you going to do today to bring compassion into your life? Or are you going to surprise someone with a little compassion gift?
Maria, I totally agree with Sheryl Crow 🙂
I do wish many times that the world was a bit more compassionate. Sometimes it feels so cold with so many out for just themselves. I try to be compassionate every day of my life, and grateful. I know I am not perfect and a work in progress, yet compassion and empathy are always at the forefront. We owe it to our fellow human beings. Thank you for writing about this beautiful topic. xo
Hi Tania
so beautifully said. Thank you for the comment. I love the idea of progress too. With love, Maria xx
I love this post! It is so easy to get wrapped up in our own lives, the fast pace of the world, that we forget that there is so much more going on. I always find that people are happier when the focus is on showing empathy, love, and compassion for others rather than focusing on self-preservation and protection of ego.
Hi Cathy, so true and so well said – the world feels great when we come from a place of empathy, love and compassion xx
Today I will check in with a sick friend. I meant to do it earlier, forgot, and then your post reminded me. 🙂 xo
Hi Michelle, so grateful for your message – thank you for taking the time to comment. I hope your friend is feeling better too. Love, Maria xx
"have you ever thought to allow someone else to have it their way, and not always your way?" this is something i have been more conscious of recently. and it has been wonderful to just relax and let someone else guide the moment (whatever that may be), and not feel as if everything must be experienced exactly the way i think it should. thank you for reminding us about the gift of compassion, maria.
Hi April, It is good to see what unfolds – sometimes it is compassion for ourselves too – it is lovely. xx
When I was in my teens, my step-father dropped a piece of wisdom on me that I've held on to always.
He said that if we don't have compassion for ourselves, we can't truly have compassion for others.
For a long time, I thought he was confused, it seemed like I had compassion for others, but none for myself. As I've developed more compassion for myself, I find my capacity for true compassion for others, true understanding and forgiveness has grown immensely though.
Turns out he may have had it right all along. 😉
hi Valerie – so beautifully said xx
absolutely agree – true compassion starts with oneself – everything out there is a reflection of all that is in here.
Maria xx
Love this article Maria.
A few times have stood out to me and how incredible I felt – once when I was in Cuba, and even though at that time I wasn't financially well-off, I had saw the poverty there… I was in Havana on the last day and started passing out 20 dollar bills to strangers – to see the happiness on their faces was the best feeling in the world. Many years before this, I took my cat to the vet and when I walked in a girl was at the desk in tears – I overhead that she couldn't pay for a needed procedure for her cat because she didn't have the money – when she left, I walked up to the desk and told the receptionist that I would pay for that girls cat's procedure – anonymously. I was pretty financially poor for much of my life, so I can relate.
Lately, I've been giving to animal rescue groups and I do try to think of doing little things for others often, but definitely not often enough. Last year I had surgery and I remember how happy I felt when someone thought of me and sent flowers. This is a great reminder 🙂
Hi Kathleen,
loved these experiences. So delicious and brought a smile to my face but a peace in my soul too. Compassion for others is a wonderful practice.
Maria xx
Maria, I am just about to launch the 'plus 1 for' challenge. It is a legacy project in memory of a friend of mine and its concept is rooted in doing 1 thing you can for someone who can't.
Your post feel like the LOA is at work 😉
Hi Susie – all the best with the launch. A perfect legacy – profound for the giver and receiver. xx