Compassion | com·pas·sion| kəm-ˈpa-shən | noun
1. sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it
Compassion is neither empathy nor sympathy, but it is a composite of both. Compassion synthesizes the two, it allows a person to care about another person’s regard as if it was their own. Compassion motivates us to go out of our way to help the pains of another, to not just feel their emotional output but to generally want to change it, not to make us feel better, but most importantly to make THEM feel better.
Compassion allows us to focus on the potential good in all people. Compassion is having strength, resilience and understanding when faced with adversity; choosing to accept unconditional positive regard, as oppose to giving into the “monkey-brain” and allowing hate or anger control our responses.
Compassion is a difficult emotion to carry all the time. It’s work often takes us out of our comfort zones to help others that are far from their own, so that we may be able to help and heal those in need.
This isn’t to imply that compassion is only reserved for other. It’s equally important to have compassion for oneself, afterall this is where the root of compassion for others stems from.
11-22-18 Red Cave by Yeasayer
11-22-18 Today is Thanksgiving. I’ve always enjoyed this day despite any frustrations, personal or societally placed. For better or worst it is a day to reflect on that which we are thankful for. We are told it began as a way for two cultures to merge during the first...
11-21-18 This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) by The Lumineers (Cover of The Talking Heads)
11-21-18 Here, hallowed hills hansle harmonious hymns Here, heaven hoists heads high Here, hands heal hollow histories Here, heartbeats herald home This cover may not be better than the original but there was something in its softer tone, and gentler approach that...
11-20-18 Light by Sleeping At Last
11-20-18 This song is a father’s ode to their newborn. The yearning of a conflicted human being forced to face their own discrepancies in order to rise and meet their new monuments responsibility. For me, I hear a person’s foray into new depths of compassion. Feeling...
11-19-18 Bowl of Oranges by Bright Eyes
11-19-18 Thanks to the current political state I find myself in yet another cycle of the West Wing. There’s a moment when Leo McGary, the Chief of Staff and supervisor to Josh Lyman, shares a little anecdote with Josh. He says: "This guy's walking down the street when...
11-18-18 Beautiful World by Colin Hay
11-18-18 With everything going on in our own personal lives, and within the larger world, we can quickly forget how beautiful the world is. Basking in the little things that make us appreciate and enjoy our best lives leads to a stronger disposition and quicker...
11-17-18 Good Friend by Cloud Cult
11-17-18 “Life is a playground, but it takes a lot of work, so you better learn to love, or it will it tear you apart | ‘Cause in the end we are measured by the size of our heart, so we can’t do this alone…” Compassion is one of those emotions that doesn’t always to...
11-16-18 King of Carrot Flowers by Neutral Milk Hotel
11-16-18 In listening to this song, I am instantly transported back a 13-year-old me, and then quickly a 20-year-old me, and then poof, I’m back. It’s funny because I feel like a 13-year-old me walking around in an adult body on a continuous basis. I used to think...
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