Compassion is defined as "a basic kindness, with a deep awareness of the suffering of oneself and of other living things, coupled with the wish and effort to relieve it" (Gilbert, 2009, p. xiii).
We feel stronger and more in control of our lives when we practice compassion and learn to accept all of our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
As we get to know ourselves better, we realize we have options. We begin to realize that life isn't easy, but we can make it more bearable.
We give ourselves permission to recognize and respect our pain and fears when we allow them to be heard. We begin to understand who we are and how valuable we are.
We may wonder, "Who am I?" and reflect on the boundaries we have established in the past. Do they reflect who we're becoming? Or should they evolve and change?
When we think about behaviors we want to change or improve during this process, we may feel shame, guilt, regret, or even anger.
We occasionally require assistance in determining how to deal with these complex emotions. The topic of next month's blog post will be on the emotion of “Anger”.
With respect,
Dr. C
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