If animals can be compassionate, what’s stopping human being from been compassionate. Yes, compassion is evident among other animal species, such as monkeys, whales, elephants, and so many more. And of course, dogs and cats have been known to show endless amounts of unconditional love and compassion for humans. The Dalai Lama said “Compassion reduces our fear, boosts our confidence, and opens us to inner strength.”
Compassion is as vital to life as the air we breathe. For in the absence of compassion, how many benevolent, selfless and heroic deeds would have happened throughout history?
Imagine a world without Mother Teresa, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Obafemi Awolowo, Mary Slessor, MKO Abiola, Herberty Macaulay Martin Luther King, Jr., St. Francis of Assisi, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and so many others.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that one in four of us will experience a mental health problem in our lifetimes, yet many of us most in need of mental health services and support often go without it, there is therefore great need to be compassionate about oneself and towards people around us since our mental health facilities are not really accessible and affordable. We can not only improve our own mental wellbeing and self-kindness, but can also help to reduce the stigma often associated with mental illness that can limit one’s willingness to seek help when needed.
What Is Compassion?
Compassion is defined as the ability to understand the emotional state of another person. Moreover, it encompasses understanding our own emotional state. As a result, compassion motivates us to help and support others—and ourselves. It inspires us to do what we can to ease another person’s suffering. In fact, compassion literally means,“to suffer together.”
Compassion is an innate human quality, according to researchers. Therefore, we are all born with the tendency to be generous and kind to others. However, as we age, all of us face challenging circumstances and feel emotional pain at one time or another. These experiences can stand in the way of our natural compassion. That’s because it’s hard to feel love and compassion for others when we feel empty ourselves.
The good news is that compassion is like a muscle that can be strengthened with practice.
Female Guide 