Wellbeing is the result of Compassion.
There is nothing more important in our lives than managing our wellbeing. The health of our bodies, mindsets and our emotions will directly impact the longevity, success and fulfilment we will experience in our lives. So, how should we approach managing our wellbeing? With compassion, of course!
These days, social media paints an incorrect picture of people’s lives and it does more damage to the person posting than to those following. Having to portray yourself inauthentically results in creating a big divide within yourself. You illude yourself to an unrealistic standard which you incorrectly believe the world expects from you. Then you try really hard to live up to it, failing most of the time. You find you can’t trust yourself anymore and this results in a spectrum of difficulties. As seen in the media these days, successful careers, optimum physiques and ultimate material comforts still cannot provide self-worth, self-confidence or mental wellbeing. The lack of those leads to very poor decisions and in some cases, very unfortunate outcomes.
Learning to approach ourselves with compassion is a great way to practice wellbeing. Compassion ignites curiosity, kindness and understanding without judgment and harshness. Compassion towards self is as essential as being compassionate to others. Compassion is the foundation for wellbeing.
3 ways to practice Compassion
1. Deep listening to oneself. Before we can be great listeners for others, we must learn to be great listeners for ourselves. We need to become aware of our own thoughts, emotions and our bodily needs.
2. Speak truthfully and with kindness. When you listen to yourself deeply, you can speak honestly. You can communicate authentically. This brings you the help you need, the people who truly see you and the outcomes you truly want.
3. Letting things end. Let things end instead of clinging onto them. Things such as emotions, sensations, stories, thoughts, feelings…when they finish, let them go no matter how wonderful they may feel. Letting things end allows you to be present and to allow new things to grow.
Below is a resource we have created to help you instill a practice of wellbeing into your child’s every day routine. Doing this throughout the day allows your child to find ways to manage themselves and keep their wellbeing in check. What a great practice to begin young and carry through into old age!
