by Krystle Hernandez

Created on: April 20, 2009

Compassion and empathy are at the core of our relationships with other people. Defined as concern for the sufferings and misfortunes of others, compassion allows us to essentially view the world from other perspectives, affording us the internal capacity to help others in need that may be worse off in this world than ourselves. For this reason (amongst others), it is crucial that individuals develop compassion as a way of life.

Developing Compassion:

The question, however, is how do you develop compassion? Developing compassion requires an active effort on the part of the individual. There are many ways for people to help themselves develop a sense of compassion. Generally speaking, one of the most significant ways that people develop compassion is by reaching out to other individuals. Frequently, learning from the stories and lives of others can help people develop a sense of perspective. Knowing about the misfortunes of others can help individuals have a greater appreciation for their own fortune in life. If you want to develop compassion as a way of life, consider the following suggestions.

*Become involved in your community. Reach out to members of your community and learn about issues that affect the people around you. Community involvement can help an individual get out of his or her own personal world and understand life on a much larger scale.

*Volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to become involved in your community or contribute to a great cause. There are many volunteer opportunities available in local areas across the nation. However, if you want to expand the scope of your perspective even further, you can even research overseas volunteer opportunities around the world.

*Travel. Not everyone is as fortunate as we are in the western world. There are so many individuals across the world that have so much less than we do. If you can afford the cost of travel in your budget, keep in mind that traveling is a great way to contribute to the economies of these underdeveloped nations through tourism. Further, travel can also provide us with the opportunity to glimpse life outside of our own nations.

Making Compassion an Integral Part of Your Lifestyle:

It may be one thing to be compassionate and understanding, but it is quite another thing to be sure that compassion becomes an integral and inherent part of your daily lifestyle.

*Start a gratuity journal. Understanding how fortunate you are can undeniably help you be more compassionate towards others that are

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