Taking Pause ...

When we find our rhythm of compassion we have come home, we are in a state of grace.  We are in tune with a great universal cadence where a rich inner life is exquisitely balanced with a passionate engagement with the world.   Gail Straub


The basic definition for the word compassion is 'the virtue of empathy for the suffering of others and the active desire to alleviate it'.   As in all situations, we must have balance or be well grounded before we can truly help others.  If we become what is termed a 'bleeding heart' we may become stuck in the misery and misfortune of others.  We can easily become an enabler.  So we begin with having strong boundaries and a sense of realistic expectations. 

We need awareness or the ability to pay attention to the events and situations surrounding us or in a broader sense, other countries or cultures.  If we have a sympathetic consciousness we are easily motivated to create change for the good. 

Compassion is an interconnection or element of humanism.  It is a component of love and reflected in the GOLDEN RULE:  Do Unto Others What You Would Have Them Do To You.  The act of compassion can be as narrow or as broad as we want to make it.

Compassion is emotional in nature reflecting our depth or vigour or passion.  It can be triggered by music, art, nature, animals, people or life itself.  We experience compassion in different ways at differing times by either expanding or contracting our feelings.

In reading about compassion, we may have brought personal experience to mind.  Perhaps we recalled random acts of kindness or a particular passion for a cause.  I wonder, however, if we even once considered compassion in relationship to our inner selves.

We need to be as compassionate on the inside just as much as on the outside.  To do this, we must become still in the moment asking our selves what is going on inside of us.  Are we in despair and repair or joyful and peaceful?  Are we focusing on the blessings in life?  Is our body riddled with stress and fatigue?  Do we feel connected to a greater source, the world around us, family, or close friends?  Are we loving and forgiving with our selves?

Taking pause, we can allow awareness of our own well being.  If we offer compassion to our selves, we will more appropriately extend it to others.  Can we engage with our selves as generously as we interact with others? 

Try it, you'll like it!