Compassion

“Compassion is fuelled by understanding and accepting that we’re all made of strength and struggle- no one is immune to pain or suffering. Compassion is not a practice of “better than” or “I can fix you”- its a practice based in the beauty and pain of shared humanity” - Brené Brown

Compassion is what you get when you feel for some one else’s experiences (you don’t need to take on their stories). When you recognize that whatever their story is, it brought them to this moment. The moment that has, for the sake of being relevant to my story, kept them in a fear state. Listening to what you are told to do out of fear, even if that means staying far away and treating others who chose different like a disease. Compassion because there is a deep understanding of the world we are brought up in.

Compassion for yourself because you have stories too and I believe that you have always done the best you can, until you’ve learned better. Compassion for the anger felt because that is real too.

According to Brené Brown, compassion is a daily practice, something we use if an unwanted/ self-demeaning/ other thought arises. Acknowledging the thought, recognizing where it comes from, and releasing it with compassion.

Because if we don’t, we move about life with judgement, and hatred or anger.

Sorry, not for me.

Some tools to support though the process 👇🏼

Forgive, as mentioned previously, supports us in letting go of hostilities. An important role through the act of compassion.

Console, a tool to use when we need some emotional comfort.

For the sake of having compassion for yourself, repeat: As I know better, I do better. Those stories do not need to define me anymore.

Journal prompt: When I am easy on myself, I …

Mindfullness.

Kindness meditations, here is a good one.