7/12/13
Day of Compassion!
J
I
enjoyed doing a day of compassion! It’s funny because I like to think of myself
as a compassionate person. I definitely have my moments of not being
compassionate, but for the most part I try to be mindful of others and myself.
It was a little harder than I thought it might be. I was talking to a group I
was working with in Margaret’s class about the day of compassion. Sometimes I
have an all or nothing kind of attitude, which I’m working on, but I wondered
if I happen to think a negative thought do I need to start my day of compassion
over? I have to admit I was getting a little nervous the night before I
started.
Overall
the day went well and it was positive. There are times that after school or
work I will come home and I know I’m being grouchy to my family and I’m aware
of it and I will feel guilty. So I really focused on my tone of voice and my
actions on my day of compassion. I went more out of my way to smile at people
even if I didn’t know them. I really noticed how mindful I was of my
surroundings, my actions, and others actions.
At
one moment I found myself getting emotional and my eyes felt with water because
I had just finished getting a drink at Sonic and was leaving the drive-thru when
I noticed an older gentlemen whom I know through family, but I have only been
around him a couple times. He noticed me and I said, “Hi, how are you?” He
said, “Good” with a smile on his face. Then as I was driving off I had
remembered that he had lost his wife not that long ago and I started to feel
empathy for him and I hoped he was doing okay. He was probably have a good day,
but I just felt sad for him.
Since
the day of compassion I am still continuing to do the same things. I find when
I’m driving and I feel a little road rage coming on I stop what I’m thinking
and turn it into something positive. The day of compassion helped me be in more
control of my emotions. When I felt myself getting agitated or mad I would stop
myself a lot sooner than I would have and it actually made the day a lot more
pleasant. I would like to try this activity with my students!
I totally get the "do I need to start over?" question when not living up to the ideal. That made me laugh because I recognize that tendency in myself as well. I love that you greeted the man who had lost his wife. That may have been why he said "good" in response to your question. He had been seen.
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