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Start Your New Year With Compassion
Happy New Year and welcome to 2009. The
holiday gifts have been opened, New Year's resolutions
made and long weekends that are common during the end of
the year are still fresh in our memory. But as we
appreciate the recent holidays, we also give some
thought to the year ahead of us. No doubt we are living
in challenging times. The mortgage crisis, high
unemployment numbers, the shakeup on Wall Street-it's
enough to test even the most upbeat and patient of us.
But these challenging times also offer us the utmost
opportunity to re-visit what's important in our lives,
make sure our priorities are in order and find the space
in our busy lives to be grateful for what we do have.
As I contemplated how I would like to start my year, the
power of compassion came to mind and I let myself
visualize a world where kindness and caring for each
other unconditionally were the norm. One fundamental way
I have lived my life is to treat other people as I would
want to be treated in return. Therefore I've always
appreciated acting in a compassionate manner, while
realizing I can always continue to fine tune my efforts.
As You Think About Ways To Be Compassionate, Consider
The Following;
Being compassionate means not assuming one way of
thinking is the only way of thinking. We have an
exciting existence because we are different. Appreciate
how diverse we are: we have varied belief systems and
therefore a variety of points of view, be they
religious, political, or social (how can you eat that?).
There is room enough for all of us to live life in the
way we find most authentic and to be appreciated for
doing so.
Being compassionate means being patient. Long line at
the grocery store? Slow traffic on the highway? A
complaining co-worker or sibling? No.big.deal. Wait it
out, take a few deep breaths and give others space.
There is no need to get bent out of shape about things
you can't control. What you can control is your attitude
about the situation by not taking it personally and
remembering that this too shall pass. Embrace being
patient.
Being compassionate means being generous and this can be
done in several ways. You might volunteer your services
at a food bank or retirement home, for example. Spending
time with someone who would appreciate your company is a
generous act. Be generous with a kind word. It might be
a small one time action or something that you do on an
on-going basis. Acts of generosity can make a profound
difference in another's life.
Quotes About Compassion
How far you go in life depends on your being tender
with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic
with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong.
Because someday in life you will have been all of these
George Washington Carver
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion
The Dalahi Lama
Compassion literally means to feel with, to suffer
with. Everyone is capable of compassion, and yet
everyone tends to avoid it because it's uncomfortable.
And the avoidance produces psychic numbing -- resistance
to experiencing our pain for the world and other beings
Joannna Macy
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.
Without them humanity cannot survive
The Dalahi Lama
BLISS Is The Way Your Life Will Be
Defined............In The Year 2009
When you get up tomorrow morning, do so
with an attitude of decisiveness. Decide that regardless
of the challenges that may come your way, you will live
a life of bliss. B.L.I.S.S. Believe life Is Something
Special, because it is and so are you. Here are some
things you can consider if you'd like bliss to be the
way your life is defined, in the year 2009.
√ An Attitude of Gratitude - Be grateful for what you
have and all the good that will come your way
√ Just Say "Yes" - Yes to expanding your horizons,
opening your heart and being the best person you can be
√ Help Others - it feels good to help others and in
doing so you are making a difference in someone else's
life. You may well have a significant and positive
impact on them for a long time to come
√ Move Your Body - Exercise, be it aerobics, jogging or
walking in place in your living room. Be good to your
body and it will be good to you
√ Don't Obsess About the Negative - It's over with, it's
done, it's history. Whatever happened that hasn't landed
on your "this was an excellent experience list" no
longer has a place in your mind or in your heart. Let it
go.
√ What else can you think of to add to this list?
The Power of Positivity Is To Give
Back
A few years ago, on a trip to Central
Africa, I became acquainted with a hard working
organization called the Martin Luther King Jr.
Foundation, located in Limbe, Cameroon. The Foundation
works to promote peace, non-violence, social justice and
sustainable development in Cameroon. To assist with
their educational efforts, I started The Words Across
The World Book Project. I collect books and send them to
the Foundation who makes the books available to all in
the community, as well as students located at a
University near the Foundation's office. To learn more
about this organization, visit www.lukmefcameroon.org. I
sit on the International Board of Directors for this
organization and a portion of book sales goes to support
this worthy cause.
Believe Life Is Something Special
Because It Is and So Are You!
DAILY AFFIRMATION
THIS WILL BE
A WONDERFUL
DAY IN EACH
AND EVERY
CONCEIVABLE
WAY! |
