Compassion

How would your life change if you showed more Compassion to yourself and others?

Compassion: My dictionary’s definitions: sympathetic feelings: pity, mercy.

Pity is defined as ‘sympathetic sorrow’ or ‘something to be regretted’.

Mercy has several definitions: compassion shown to an offender; a blessing resulting from divine favor or compassion, a fortunate circumstance; compassion shown to victims of misfortune.

Saturday, Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey hosted a global meditation. The focus was on “Compassion”. While I did not participate in the formal program, I did spend time during the day thinking about how I could become more compassionate towards both myself and others.

This is not the first time I’ve talked about compassion here. In March I blogged about compassion and Monica Lewinsky. She did an impressive Ted Talk that I happened upon. Check out my post and the link to the Ted Talk here.

I’m not debating the merits of compassion in and other itself. Actually I’m not debating anything at all. I am, however, sharing ways we each can have a positive impact on the world around us. 

Over the next few weeks my plan is to offer one simple idea each Monday that each of us can practice that will positively impact the world around us. Why? Because I truly believe that each of us can be the change we want to see in the world.

What is one thing you do or can do each day to make a positive change in the world around you?

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual paths that nurture the soul. The fifth book in the series, Hunter, is due out Summer 2015.

Learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series here.

Judith blogs at Romancing The Genres on the first Friday of each month.

Check out Judith's author page at Windtree Press.

Compassion

I'm Judith Ashley, author of The Sacred Women's Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nurtures the soul and celebrates the journey from relationship to romance. 

The other night as I was scrolling through television program listings before turning the set off (yes, I know that's a bit strange), I saw that Monica Lewinsky was on Ted Talk. Now I've probably watched fewer than a half dozen Ted Talks---ever---but this one caught my eye.

As I watched, Ms. Lewinsky talked about public humiliation and public shaming and how it has become a big business with the advent of social media, etc.

Imagine my mouth dropping open in shock when she quoted research that showed the emotional impact of humiliation is stronger than anger much less a positive emotion.

While my recent focus has been on relationships, I encourage you to listen/watch her Ted Talk on "Compassion".

I've never been one who clicked around the internet very much but after watching Ms. Lewinsky, I do it even less.

Why do I need to know about someone's embarrassing moment?

Why do I need to know the details?

How is clicking through to "find out more", helping me or society at large?

Hunter, the fifth book in The Sacred Women's Circle series, is 
due out the end of April. As a single, unwed, teen mother, Honey Knight Compton, chooses to run away rather than subject her unborn child to a life where the threat of exclusion is constant. In The Circle she finds acceptance and compassion as her story unravels.

Check out my website.

For more information about my books, 

To learn more about Dr. Glasser's concepts.