
The Beautiful Gift of Compassion
“You can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness.” —Tal Ben-Shahar, PhD
The holiday season is often called the “season of giving,” which conjures up visions of brightly wrapped presents and other goodies of the material sort.
But another gift we can always give—to ourselves, to other people, and to situations, is compassion. In difficult situations, there’s often a lack of compassion—bringing compassion into our heart helps us feel cared for, gives us strength, and opens our eyes to the good around us.
When we give ourselves compassion for what we’re going through, we feel supported, and it’s easier for us to pass that support on to others in our lives.
When we offer compassion to those around us, even difficult people, walls evaporate and our hearts connect. We feel better about ourselves and the world around us.
“The worse people act, the greater is their need for healing.” —A Course in Miracles
Bringing compassion into a situation shines light on the opportunities for growth, learning and connection, rather than keeping a focus on all that’s wrong. We begin to see people’s negative behavior as a cry for help, rather than taking things personally. We can find ways to be supportive and work together for our mutual good, lifting each other up rather than bringing others down.
So, if we give nothing else this holiday season, let’s give compassion, generously opening our hearts in every moment and bringing more light into the dark corners of the world.
Here are some affirmations that may be helpful reminders:
I bring compassion into my heart and offer myself love and understanding rather than judgment.
I send wishes for love and healing to those who are acting out in anger or fear today. I ask that they find peace, grow in wisdom, and allow more kindness into their hearts.
I ask what compassion can teach me in every situation, and set my intention to act with my heart’s guidance.
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