8 Pillars of Joy - Compassion

I had the privilege to spend the day with a lovely group of professional woman.  We discussed the challenges of being professional women in a male dominated field (finance and technology).  So many brilliant woman, who had amazing talents to share, but yet doubted their abilities.  I could certainly empathize with their feelings, since I too have often doubted myself. 

Having empathy for them helped me to relate to these women's concerns, but compassion will help move me to make a difference!   The Book of Joy explains that   "compassion is a sense of concern that arises when we are confronted with another's suffering and feel motivated to see that suffering relieved."  This is the reason that I do what I do.   My job in healthcare has always focused on helping others achieve their goals, make their work easier, and ultimately help them help their patients.  My yoga work is a passion to relieve the suffering of my students by helping them to cultivate ways for them to love themselves more and find their own path to health.  

Compassion for others makes the world a better place, but also improves your health. Feelings of compassion release the "feel good" hormones in the body, which reduce inflammation and improve your health! 

However, I also think that we need to make sure to find a balance in our lives that includes compassion for ourselves.  Do you push yourself to hard?  Do you expect perfection?  Would you expect that of others?  Sometimes we need to stop and remember to be kinder to ourselves.  The more we treat ourselves with compassion, the more compassion we will have available to help others.   Your challenge for today is to make a daily note of how you were kind to yourself.  Starting with you will create a ripple affect that will extend far into the world around you.

With health, happiness and vitality.  Linda