In an era that is being defined by violence, hate, and marginalization, last weekend’s two mass shootings punctuated the dire state of civility in our nation. More than 40 years after helping make Elvis Costello famous, a set of Nick Lowe lyrics now seems like quintessential 2010’s:
As I walk on through this wicked world
Searching for light in the darkness of insanity
I ask myself, Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain, and hatred, and misery?
And each time I feel like this inside
There’s one thing I wanna know
What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding?
What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding?
And as I walked on through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony
‘Cause each time I feel it slipping away, just makes me wanna cry
What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding?
What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding?
Whether in this wicked world or our own office, negative messages and tragic events take an emotional toll on us. They reduce our joy, our energy, and our focus. They reduce our effectiveness and keep us from thriving.
While remediating the world might feel impossibly beyond our reach, creating light, maintaining hope, and fostering harmony are well within it. And practicing compassion helps with all three.
Compassion means caring about others’ pain and wanting it alleviated. Sometimes we know it’s the right thing to do; it might be second nature, or it might require concerted effort. But what about the times when it feels like the other party doesn’t deserve it? Why should we care about alleviating their pain when they don’t seem to care about anyone else’s?
Because it’s good for us.
Frustration, anger, and hatred suck our energy and cloud our minds. On the other hand, demonstrating compassion calms us, minimizes our worries, and gives us the strength to address obstacles. Scientific research has linked compassion to happiness, attractiveness, healthy relationships, and stress reduction.
While research has shown that we are born with a propensity to demonstrate compassion toward others, it’s also a skill deserving of—and sometimes requiring—our attention. For those times when you need to work to find some kindness, turn to some basic mindfulness techniques or try some of the mantras, yoga routines, or meditations that are available.
Self-development equates to new ways of doing, thinking and being. Practicing compassion is one of the ways we foster our own potential, while infusing more kindness into the environments and people around us. In other words, it’s one pathway to a little more peace, love, and understanding.
