Cultivate compassion for yourself and others from "summary" of Finding Your Power to Be Happy: Seven Practices to Bring Unconditional Happiness into Your Life by D.E. Hardesty
To cultivate compassion for yourself and others means to approach yourself and those around you with understanding, kindness, and empathy. It involves recognizing the inherent humanity and struggles that we all face, and responding to them with a sense of compassion rather than judgment or criticism. When you cultivate compassion for yourself, you are able to treat yourself with the same care and consideration that you would offer to a friend in need. By practicing self-compassion, you learn to acknowledge your own imperfections and mistakes without harsh self-criticism. Instead of berating yourself for your shortcomings, you approach yourself with gentleness and understanding. This allows you to navigate challenges and setbacks with a sense of self-compassion, rather than getting caught up in feelings of inadequacy or failure. Similarly, cultivating compassion for others involves recognizing the shared humanity that connects us all. When you approach others with compassion, you are able to see beyond their actions or behaviors to the underlying emotions and experiences that may be driving them. This allows you to respond to others with empathy and understanding, even in difficult situations.- You create a sense of connection and support that can help to foster positive relationships and a greater sense of inner peace. By cultivating compassion, you can create a more harmonious and loving environment both within yourself and in your interactions with others.
