Self-Compassion

 

                                                    Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

 
"If your compassion does not include yourself it is incomplete." - 

Jack Kornfield

Have you been compassionate recently? Maybe a friend or family member has been having a difficult time and you have been supporting and caring for them.

When someone is struggling, feeling unwell or low, we automatically try to help, showing care and compassion. Yet what about if that someone is you? Is it as easy to be kind and compassionate to yourself?

Perhaps you have been feeling under the weather, low in mood, or anxious. Maybe you are starting to feel a bit fraught thinking about all you have to do in the run up to Christmas, setting yourself unrealistic targets and beating yourself up about the fact that you're not meeting them.

Jack Kornfield has it right (above) when he says that compassion is only complete when we show it to ourselves, but it's not always easy. Sometimes we may feel that we simply don't deserve it, yet we wouldn't think that about someone else who needs our love and support. We'd put an arm round them, give them a hug, buy them a bunch of flowers or simply listen to them.

Be kind to yourself. Click here to listen to Kirstin Neff's self-compassion Mindfulness meditation. (You will need about 20 minutes).

Writing prompts:

• Write about a time when you have shown compassion to someone. What prompted you to respond in that way? How did it make you feel?
• Set a timer for six minutes and write about a time you showed compassion to yourself. 
• Make a list of at least five reasons why you deserve self-compassion today.