Compassion – ‘one of our five-a-day’

By Dr.Lynda Shaw, neuroscientist, business psychologist and change specialist.

Compassion means showing concern for others, replaces judgement with acceptance and does not discriminate against age, gender, ethnicity, race or disability. Showing compassion to those around you could not be more necessary in these trying times. Make compassion one of your five a day.

1. Show compassion …by thinking of others first. Consider the needs of others over your own, particularly if they are vulnerable. Compassion is the willingness to give and could be as simple as listening to someone who needs to be heard, or giving comfort or your time.

2. Show compassion … by expecting nothing in return. The purest form of compassion is when you have no expectation of being ‘paid back’ in any way. Knowing that you helped to turn someone’s day around is an invaluable reward on its own. Show compassion simply because you feel it is the right thing to do and you
   

   Dr Lynda Shaw

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3. Show compassion… by demonstrating acceptance. Compassion embraces the diverse nature of humanity and treats all as equals. Try to avoid passing judgement and remember you never know someone’s full story.  Making acceptance a habit will lead to you having a more positive mindset overall.
4. Show compassion …through empathy. Try to picture yourself in someone else’s position to understand what they are going through. Offer them any help you can and remember to be mindful, sensitive and caring towards their position.
5. Show compassion… through little acts of kindness. A single compassionate act can turn someone’s day around. It could be as small as opening the door for someone struggling with their shopping to smiling at a stranger or paying someone an honest compliment. Smiling, for example, releases endorphins which make you feel happier, so not only does this random act brighten someone else’s day, it will brighten yours too.