An idea/ mantra/ meditation to consider during tumultuous times:
Compassion, openness, understanding, empathy, love, and respect aren't simply words or concepts to idealize - they are tools that we as humans are gifted with and should most definitely utilize.
To be mindful of thinking outside of ourselves, considering others, caring about how we make each other feel and moving through our lives with kindness, that's how we emphasize the best aspects of our species.
Human connection is vital to our survival and our happiness. If we are closed-off, distant, angry, mean, egotistic, disrespectful or violent then we are taking for granted the capability of our conscious minds and failing to achieve a part of life we all deserve.
For each of us it begins within. We make the choice.
To examine our own behavior, to confront our own biases, to envision ourselves in another's position, to see a situation from an alternate perspective, to accept our past and heal any emotional wounds - it is healthy and helpful to do this work.
It sounds cliche but the differences that separate us are insignificant when we focus on the bigger similarities that unite us.
We're humans. We all share this planet. Each of us have feelings and emotions. We want to thrive and we endure struggles. We strive to experience joy but go through times of inevitable sadness. We crave love, we try to avoid loneliness, and we each face the inevitable fact that life eventually comes to an end in a single, unknown moment.
Thus, we share the knowledge that every up, every down, and everything in between is our own precious journey. The world is a classroom in which we can constantly learn lessons and move forward in a wiser way.
We want it to be as pleasurable of an experience as possible. We can only hope for good things to hit us the hardest and tough things to sting as little as possible because what's thrown at us is out of our control.
What we can control is a decision to focus our energy on cooperation and positivity without sacrificing any to divisive differences or other negative, less-coveted aspects of the human condition.
If we mistreat others or push our inner, unchecked strife onto them, we extract enjoyment from their reality and hinder our own progress.
Our individual energy can and should go towards our own healing, our own contentment, and the creation of positive interactions with others that lead to human connection and life's beautiful relationships.
This is what we are capable of and this is what we all deserve.
It's futile to expect a Utopia of perfection, but as citizens of a global society facing unprecedented challenges, is it too much to ask that we try exude more good into this world than bad?
**Put It Into Practice**
Just try to remember we're here for a short amount of time; treat yourself, others and the planet kindly. Concentrate on compassion.
