Compassion is choosing to care. You want to express concern and sympathy for someone, even yourself, and their struggle. You want to help. If you are happy, then others can be happy. Similarly, if others are happy, then you can be happy. We can all work more on extending more compassion, both inwardly for ourselves and outwardly for others.
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
-Dalai Lama
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
When phrased like that, it almost seems too simple and straightforward to be true, right? Yet, compassion generates lots of happiness, both for ourselves as well as for all others around us. It is essentially our positive presence and attention. By investing our energy and focus in the present moment around us, we show that we are here and that we care.
I try to treat whoever I meet as an old friend. This gives me a genuine feeling of happiness. It is the practice of compassion.
-Dalai Lama
What a fascinating strategy to consider if you want to practice more compassion. Can you imagine thinking about everyone you see for the next day as long-lost childhood friends? They lived down the street, and it is so neat to see them again after quite a few beats. It may take some time to get used to a significant shift in setup, but think of this mindset management. Compassion cultivates centeredness, a conscious caring for yourself as well as for those around you. Even if someone upset you for some reason last week, it is better to feel excited about reuniting with them after all these “years”. It starts to push the limits of radical compassion which is honestly a worthwhile goal for us to strive for.
Be generous with yourself. Do not waste all of that built-up gratitude. Compassion is another one of those beautiful, limitless resources. Make sure to spend time directing it towards yourself as well as towards all others please. You deserve your compassion.
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.
-Maya Angelou
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell.