Compassion is a key component of emotional intelligence. One where you can never have enough. How could we continue to develop our empathy?
There are two key types of compassion: self compassion and compassion for others.
Where you are in need of additional self compassion, because you are beating yourself up, try visualizing yourself as a young child. Remember, that you were once filled with all of the innocence and promise that goes along with that. We instinctively have empathy for the young. Give yourself the break that you would to a good friend.
Where you are in need to develop compassion for others:
- Try focusing your attention on them. Discipline yourself to see the world through their eyes. How did they come to behave or believe the way they do?
- Put yourself in their shoes; how would you feel if you were them? What would you do differently if you had their experiences, incentives and needs?
- Use active listening to try to pick up on the subtle clues of what those that you engage with have to say including their body language.
- Similar to what we did for self compassion above, visualize them as a 5 year old child playing on the playground
Give these tips a try and you will develop additional compassion. Let me know.
Just my opinion. What do you think? Let me know in the comments.
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#Compassion #Empathy #Visualization #Kindness #Selfcare
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