Over the last month, I have been hearing a lot about the importance of compassion. I came to realize I did not have it. At least not to the degree I hoped I had. I can reach out to someone with empathy. I can console. I can offer a shoulder. I can listen. But I have come to realize that compassion goes much deeper. And, it will be no surprise to those who know we must have for self before we can have for others, I had no compassion for myself. My expectations for myself were (yes, I can now say, were!) so high, I had a hard time being the perfect person I expected myself to be. And I had no compassion for myself when I missed the mark. I couldn’t say, that’s alright, Sweetie, you did your best like I might to a friend or client. No, I took the tough love stance and it was tough, do not think there was any love there.
Something deep inside told me I had to develop compassion, that it was a ‘key’ to the type of life I dreamed of for myself, the world and planet. Once I opened my heart to it, tele-summits, u-tube videos, books, etc started showing up in my life, as well as opportunities to ‘be compassionate’.
Such a situation arose last night when I was speaking with a friend. I missed an opportunity to be compassionate with her and missed it again for myself when I felt disappointed and sad. I did finally sort out all the pieces and put them together. And I knew one thing that was called for was compassion for myself and my friend.
This morning I was taking a few minutes to stand in Oneness with Mother/Father Creator. I was guided to see myself as I was seen by God…someone deeply loved and someone who was intent on being her best self and doing her very best. I was able to go to the place of compassion for myself.
I know I was guided there because the Source of All feels compassion for all of us. And asks us to extend it to ourselves and others.
I really felt better and am most grateful.
Compassion is warm, gentle, nurturing, comforting. It recognizes the pain, it recognizes the stress. It recognizes a child needing a hug. Maybe it is LOVE in action.