Compassion Thursday

I am not sure how the day of compassion has changed my life. Perhaps others thought that today was monumental in their lives. Maybe for them, it was the beginning for love and kindness to radiate outward only to really bless the source. I truly hope so. However, I can’t claim that for myself today, at least not yet. I also don’t know how seriously I took today. I did consider loving kindness—perhaps more as a punch line.

Like others in class have stated honestly, I believe the seed may have been planted. I hope to foster feelings of good for others; knowing that I will be the primary beneficiary of the good feelings. Or does the world benefit too? If my students were mindful, then conflict, aggression, and fighting decrease and peace increases…right? Somehow this seems strange to me. The more we focus inwardly, on ourselves, the more our relationships with others get better? (Yeah, this is a question)

I understood how service-learning could create more peace between my students and the rest of the world. I believe that doing things for others, forces us shift our focus away from ourselves to other people. This makes us be mindful of the way another human acts, lives, exists, and gradually creates tolerance and interpersonal understanding.

I am not entirely sure that the more I focus on what is within me, I will become a kinder person. I am kind of an ass on the surface and it seems to only get worse the deeper I look. J Ha!

In seriousness, it can’t hurt to slow down and contemplate others throughout the day. If I am able to trigger the relaxation response with those around me in mind, my perceptions of them will undoubtedly become more positive. However, if this doesn’t work I am really going to be pissed at someone...Obviously a long road ahead for me.