‘While at times suffering can serve to toughen us,
to strengthen us,
at other times it can have value by functioning in the opposite manner-
to soften us,
to make us more sensitve and gentle.
The vulnerability we experience in the midst of suffering
can open us deepen our connection with others.’
– Dalai Lama & Howard C. Cuttter, A Handbook for Living The Art of Connection
‘Cultivating compassion begins with self-compassion. … Compassion cannot truly be offered to others until we first offer it to ourselves.’- Janice Marturano
Life is not linear. Things happen. Don’t fight what you are going through in your life. All you can do is be open to where it is taking you.
Be kind to yourself. Do not beat yourself up. Nothing is about you. Do not make things all about you. That is not what self-compassion is about. Self-compassion is about love, care, and respect.
Compassion is good because it ‘reminds us that when we see someone suffering, we are separated from the sufferer by only the thinnest lines of time and circumstance, and we feel a pull to lessen the suffering. … It helps us to understand the interconnections among us. It encourages us to become involved with the well-being of those around us.’
If you want to build a great community, don’t forget those around you. Love them. Treat them with respect. And support them. And they will always support you.
