Never discount a simple gesture of compassion. One good deed can impact a lifetime. Each touch of kindness can make a difference. “ One person at a time.” Remember this when you are tempted to think your one small gesture of compassion won’t make a difference.
“Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character, it becomes destiny.” ..our brains are fundamentally involved in activating compassion...we can use our brain in “ watching” our judgments before choosing our behavior…
Every positive thought, word, deed contributes to strengthening compassion. Every facial expression, too, holds the possibility of lessening suffering.
Our compassionate actions do not have to be enormous projects. Daily acts of kindness, considerate understanding, and spontaneous generosity may not appear to have a great effect, and yet they have the power to ease the pain of negativity and cradle a buoyancy in another person’s heart.
...a healthy life of compassion requires practice, but it also needs balance. Thinking too much or too little about self, caring too much or too little about others- any of these throws compassion’s effectiveness off balance and creates more suffering.
We lose hope if our only focus is on suffering. To retain energy and strength in expressing compassion day by day, we must have balance...be intentional about seeking what soothes our mind and restores our spirit, while at the same time being ever vigilant to how we can be compassionate.
Reflection:
Look back on your life. Find one good deed of yours that made a difference. Who are your mentors of compassion? How have they inspired you?
“Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character, it becomes destiny.” ..our brains are fundamentally involved in activating compassion...we can use our brain in “ watching” our judgments before choosing our behavior…
Every positive thought, word, deed contributes to strengthening compassion. Every facial expression, too, holds the possibility of lessening suffering.
Our compassionate actions do not have to be enormous projects. Daily acts of kindness, considerate understanding, and spontaneous generosity may not appear to have a great effect, and yet they have the power to ease the pain of negativity and cradle a buoyancy in another person’s heart.
...a healthy life of compassion requires practice, but it also needs balance. Thinking too much or too little about self, caring too much or too little about others- any of these throws compassion’s effectiveness off balance and creates more suffering.
We lose hope if our only focus is on suffering. To retain energy and strength in expressing compassion day by day, we must have balance...be intentional about seeking what soothes our mind and restores our spirit, while at the same time being ever vigilant to how we can be compassionate.
Reflection:
Look back on your life. Find one good deed of yours that made a difference. Who are your mentors of compassion? How have they inspired you?
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