Compassion is a sympathetic consciousness of others distress together with a desire to alleviate it. Reflecting on some of the qualities that help me to be more compassionate...

Courage. Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Courage is about taking risks and stepping outside of our comfort zones.Empathy. The ability to feel another person's emotions and to understand their perspective.

Empathy. The ability to feel another person's emotions and to understand their perspective. Empathy means that you feel what another person is feeling.

Forgiveness. A conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve it. Forgiveness is about letting go of negative emotions to move forward.

Generosity. Not just about giving money or material possessions, but it's also about giving of oneself. When we give generously to others, we create a sense of connection and community.

Gratitude. The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Expressing gratitude helps us cultivate a positive attitude and to focus on the good things in life.

Honesty. Being truthful and genuine in all of our interactions, free from fraud or deception. It's important to be honest with ourselves as well as with others.

Humility. A modest view of one's own importance.  Humility is the ability to see your flaws in addition to your strengths, while being void of either arrogance or low self-esteem.

Kindness. Being friendly, generous, and considerate.  Kindness is the sincere and voluntary use of one’s time, talent, and resources to positively impact the lives of others.

Patience. The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. Patience is about giving others (or yourself) the time needed to work through issues or until something is ready.

Respect. Recognizing the worth and value of others without judging or belittling them, respect shows honor to other’s abilities, qualities, or achievements even if those are beyond our understanding or knowledge.

What if we were all more compassionate?
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