3 Steps to Be More Compassionate
It is easy to identify when we, as individuals, make mistakes and start to sit in our feelings of guilt and remorse when we may have acted out of line or hurt someone we care about. We tend to forget that we are human and that making mistakes is inevitable on both sides of the coin. This is where compassion comes in. Here are three applicable steps for practicing more compassion in your life.
Giving
Have you ever heard the saying, “it is better to give than to receive”? Research has shown that giving to others out of compassion is something that contributes to feelings of wellness and happiness. Giving motivated by compassion is something that has kept our human race intact and has helped, not only our society, but also us as individuals to feel good. Being sensitive to the needs of others contributes to compassion, resulting in a double win. When we give, it blesses the receiver but also, we get joy from being the compassionate giver. Cha-Ching!
2. Self-love
Our world needs us to be self-compassionate to ourselves first and foremost. Self-compassion can help alleviate thousands of conflicts within ourselves and those that we have with others. Self-compassion is imperative because we can’t run from ourselves, so let’s work on being kinder and more compassionate to me, myself, and I. Yes, as you’re reading this you may be saying, “well you don’t know how or what types of mistakes I have made”. I know I’m not walking in your shoes, but nothing can separate you from loving yourself, but yourself. I know what it is like to make mistakes, but I also know how it feels to not forgive myself and what a heavy burden that shame and guilt is to carry around. Self-compassion is saying I choose to take steps towards forgiving myself and move towards self-compassion because I do have a choice.
3. Cultivating Compassion
This last one is about being able to extend compassion to others when they are in need. Oftentime, we need to first cultivate compassion before it becomes a part of what we do and who we are. For many of us, compassion is not something that has been modeled to us in our lives. I am thankful that as a child, I did see both of my parents extend compassion to others when they were in need. Extending or receiving compassion may be something we may need some training or practice in, but that is okay. Remember kindness and compassion to self-first, and if you are needing some practical tools to implement compassion, try meditation. Meditation has been shown to be a practical, but vital, way to reduce stress and depression. Listening to a meditation on compassion may be just the key to help get those compassion muscles going in the right direction.
Compassion is something that we all need in our lives. Giving and receiving compassion is powerful. It can be as simple as opening a door for someone or being a listening ear to someone in need. Compassion is having the sensitivity to understand someone’s suffering. As human beings, we are all empowered to make compassionate and meaningful life choices that create the loving and peaceful society we all deserve.
Roubicek & Thacker Counseling is Fresno’s premier provider of individual, couples, family, and group therapy. We offer in-person and online remote therapy sessions. Contact us today to change the way you feel.