It's time to explore compassion.

In this module you'll be introduced to the science and emotion behind compassion, and why it's important for yourself, others, and the evolution of humanity.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with passion, some compassion, some humour and some style” ~ Maya Angelou ~

The benefits of practicing self-compassion are many. People who practice kindness and compassion are happier, healthier, more optimistic, and focused.

"Compassionate people are geniuses in the art of living, more necessary to the dignity, security, and joy of humanity than the discoverers of knowledge."
~ Albert Einstein ~

So it's time to integrate all of your self with compassion—the old and the new, and to bring along all the beautiful skills and lessons that you've learned along the way—and not just during this course.

Self acceptance requires that you are kind to yourself, that remarkable self that you've been spending a bit of time with lately.

So schedule some time in your day and your week to explore the exercises in self-compassion.

Give yourself a break.

And then give your friend or neighbour or colleague a break. Practice compassion in it's purest form—emotion in action.

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion."
~ His Holiness,  the Dalai Lama ~

Sit and journal about what these exercises uncover for you - take your time...

Be compassionate with yourself, this is only the beginning!

Enjoy

Veronica

Here are some journal prompts to help you explore compassion.

Your entries can be a few dot points, several pages, or anywhere in between.

The prompts are there to help you get started, and to keep your compassion practice growing.

Journal how you felt and what came up after each of the exercises, or try answering some of these questions:

1. Who was I kind to today? Was anyone kind to me? Start recording acts of kindness in your journal each night. Add these to your gratitude entries. Now you're recording what you're grateful for and acts of kindness.
2. Think of an aspect of yourself with which you're not comfortable. Imagine this characteristic belongs to someone whom you love. List three positive messages you could tell that person about this quality; then tell yourself. Journal anything that came up for you.
3. Think of three situations that happened with another person that cause you frustration, anxiety, irritation or some other negative emotion. Now try putting yourself in the other person's shoes and understanding why she or he acts a certain way. Think and write about how their personality, communication style, background or history with you may influence their behaviour. Could you be interpreting their actions differently than the way they are intended to be perceived? Write down how your most compassionate self may respond differently?