Everyday compassion

LiveToLearn

What are some of the simple ways you practice compassion towards others in your every day life?

For me, I try to always greet people with a smile, a hello and a how are you. I allow people to talk, and give them my full attention. If there are any small things I can do, like holding a door, doing a favor for someone, I will do it.

Sometimes its the little things that count the most, I think.

ShiftPlusOne

For me, I try to always greet people with a smile, a hello and a how are you.

Lol, till monkeys must be the most compassionate beings on Earth.

By definition, compassion is co-suffering, kind of like empathy. I don't think common courtesy actually takes any suffering into account.

Well, I've had a couple of experiences when I was blown away by small things. From the top of my head, they were
*Offering to help, when the other person is not asking/hinting for or expecting it
*Not hesitating to help.
*Absorbing the other person's problem in a way that makes you go out of your way to do whatever you can.
*Expecting/wanting nothing in return, even being surprised if it comes around in a good way.

I think those sorts of things separate just going through the motions from true compassion. They are much more difficult to do on an everyday basis, but not impossible.

I don't actually disagree with you, courtesy and compassion go together, but I don't think they're the same thing.

LiveToLearn

I see what you mean about courtesy, but I think the point is in the intention.

A bank teller can be simply going through the motions because its required for their job, but in reality not give two cents for the person they are helping. On the other hand, one can be totally engaged with the other person and actually be interested in knowing how their day is going, and offer a warm smile in an effort to show that you are seeing and respecting that person.

What do you think?

ShiftPlusOne

Yup, I wasn't disagreeing, just building upon.

Epicurus

I've never been one to be too courteous because appearances don't matter to me that much. So I'm smiling to someone. People smile at me too, I don't think it tells me anything about their intentions. I think validation of their feelings is the way I am more compassionate towards someone. Make them not feel alone, and then they'll have the power to help themselves. If they want help they can always ask me.

So I guess, making people know I'm there for them by coherence in intention. Making people trust me. Not sell myself as Jesus Christ, but by vocally admitting to them my imperfections and caring for them.

I'm not one for small causes really. And I tell people this. And I think that's why people tend to trust me. Just being honest, not faking good if I'm feeling bad. Communicating, being transparent, to show them I don't fear what they think of me.

That might have made no sense at all :P

LiveToLearn

I actually admire the trait of transparency. I think it is a very good quality to have, not to feel the need to cover one's self up to others. Not to feel ashamed of your thoughts.

There have been too many times in my life where I've hidden my emotions due to the fear of how others might perceive me. That I might be perceived as weak, or simply as a weirdo.

I've always been drawn to people who are open & honest, I think its the best way to be. Even if what they are saying might not be very virtuous, at least you know what you are dealing with!