Compassion Is Contagious: Your Kindness Can Change the World We've all been behind a difficult customer in the store. You wait in line behind them as you wonder what could possibly be wrong with them. Why would someone deliberately choose to be mean or angry? How could that person have any sense of humanity, kindness or decency? Compassion is a natural instinct, but it can be stifled when we aren't mindful about our thoughts and actions. A hectic day at work, family responsibilities or stress can cause our compassionate instinct to go haywire. Instead of trying to understand why someone might be upset or angry, we respond with anger. Unfortunately, this reaction only causes a downward spiral as the person reacts in the same manner. There have been times when I have been extremely …show more content…
If I had closed off in response to her silence, I would not have been able to support her through her husband's death. Her husband would have lost some of the spark and courage of his wife during his last days. It may have been dumb luck, but this showed me a valuable lesson about compassion and always assuming the best. Compassion and Loving-Kindness Meditation When you live in paradise, it can be hard to understand the darkness that other people go through. We are all lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Hopefully, we can share that beauty with others through our kindness and compassion. Interestingly, studies show that practicing compassion can also improve your own mental and physical wellbeing. You aren't just making the world a better place by being compassionate; you are also helping yourself. To meditate on compassion, start by focusing on the person you love the most in the world. Allow that love and compassion for them to well up within you. You are similar to this person, and you just want them to find happiness. Focus on that feeling and send your warm wishes to that