LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF 4: COMPASSION.
What is compassion? Compassion means being aware of the suffering of others and being willing to help them overcome this suffering. Wikipedia defines compassion as a social feeling that motivates people to go out of their way to relieve the physical, mental, and emotional pains of others and themselves.
While compassion is a human quality, not everyone possesses it. Hence, to have proper human relationships, we have to be sympathetic, understanding, and kind. Dalai Lama said, “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries, and without them, humanity cannot survive. As humans, our world revolves around love. And without love and compassion, our lives would be incomplete.
The nature of Compassion
It entails understanding, empathy, and a sincere desire to alleviate others’ pain. Hence, It goes beyond simply feeling sympathy. Therefore, To be truly compassionate, we have to sympathize with people with afflictions and also be willing to help them get out of their predicaments. Showing kindness, understanding, and support are a few ways to express compassion. Compassion extends empathy by harbouring a wish for all individuals to be free of pain as well as a desire to be of assistance.
Benefits of Compassion
Practicing compassion impacts both the mental and emotional well-being of both the receiver of the acts of compassion and the doer of those acts of compassion.
Generally, when we do a good thing, there’s a type of satisfactory feeling that comes with it. The sense of accomplishment we gain from practicing compassion decreases stress and fosters a sense of belonging.
Practicing compassion promotes social harmony. A compassionate lifestyle creates greater cooperation, understanding, and a sense of unity. When we exhibit compassion in the community, it brings people together, even if they are of different races or origins.
Ways to Grow Your Compassion
Being compassionate requires us to be active listeners. To fully appreciate the feelings and points of view of others, we must improve our listening skills. Human relationships are built on understanding one another and respecting boundaries. Because of this, we need to develop our listening ability and keep improving it.
In addition, performing random acts of kindness is a way to demonstrate compassion. Simple acts of kindness, like helping out the elderly, giving to the poor and volunteering your time to help out the poor and needy stimulate our sense of compassion.
Lastly, compassion includes kindness, sensitivity, and understanding in addition to sympathy. Going out of your to help out a fellow even when it’s not convenient is a peak act of compassion.
In the bible, God displays the greatest act of compassion by sacrificing his only for the good of all humans. Jesus Christ has commanded us to put aside all selfish interests and treat people with kindness, especially those who are suffering or distressed.
Content Credit/ Ajibola Emmanuel Adebayo
Picture Credit/ https://wisdomquotes.com/compassion-quotes/
https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/spirituality-and-community-building/being-compassionate/main
