The Compassion Project November 2018

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
― Leo Buscaglia

As we head into the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, our to-do lists get long, our schedules get very busy and sometimes our patience gets short with those we interact with. Many of us even forgo our self-care routines and skimp on the things that help keep us balanced out like adequate sleep, quiet time and exercise.

The reasons for the celebrations and gift-giving can become lost and turn into something stressful and even negative – the opposite of the intent. How can we enter into this holiday season with gratitude at the forefront of our minds and compassion in our hearts?

Here are a few things to consider as your calendars fill and lists grow:

• The gift of time to yourself is just as important – make it and take it.
• The gift of time with you to others is a precious gift. Try giving a gift card to a coffee shop and a note promising a coffee date – rather than a more extravagant gift.
• Call up an old friend and plan an evening or weekend walk rather than the stress of trying to plan a holiday gathering that you may or may not be able to schedule. Exercise and catching up will do wonders for you both.
• Practice a random act of kindness – leave anonymous notes, take in the neighbors trash cans or rake up the leaves in someone’s yard.
• If you feel tired and overwhelmed, remember it is okay to say “Thank you, but no thank you.”

The Compassion Project: Let us be the ones who transform our world by allowing compassion to lead our action. Throughout the year, this column will feature the various ways to have compassion for others, for our specific organization, and for yourself.

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