“What is compassion?”

“For me, it’s when I can visualize myself walking in someone else’s shoes.  I can see what they see.  I feel what they feel.  I hear what they hear.  That’s when I can really understand what someone else is going through.  It’s only when I have a better understanding that I can have compassion.”

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Compassion comes through understanding.  No, you will never fully understand anyone – including yourself.  However, when you really put yourself in someone else’s life you can begin to understand “where they are coming from.”  When we understand another, only then can we provide compassion.

Providing compassion does not begin with charity.  No, it is with people who are in your life daily as well as though for whom you have never met.  Compassion begins with energy – a positive energy at that.  When we look to another with a positive energy, we are sending that energy to them.  We are encouraging them to go another day.  We are encouraging them to pursue their dreams.  We are supporting them through our thoughts, energies, and actions.  That is compassion.

Look around you.  Who is it that you are most frustrated with in your life?  Be honest with yourself, but there is no need to verbalize that assessment to anyone else.  Now, truly put yourself in their body.  How do you see with their eyes?  Can you hear with their ears?  How does your mind think?  How does your body feel?  How is your emotional state?  What is going on in “your” life?

When you begin to place yourself within another you can begin to relate to them.  You can begin to understand why they might do the things they do – that might irritate you greatly.  However, when you understand the rationale behind their actions, you might begin to realize that it has nothing to do with you at all.  You might realize and accept where they are at this point in their life.

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Life is about relationships with others.  We do not suggest that you will ever fully understand someone, for at that point you will negate them.  However, we suggest that you spend some time walking in their shoes so that you might better relate to them!

Written, Wed, Feb 3, 2016 8:13 – 8:21 AM MST