So, sometimes I like to try new things. Not so much as in "right, I'm going to try to become an abseiler", or "I've always wanted to run a marathon" (I mean, for Christ's sake, there is often a bus which is far easier). In this case, I mean as in mental habits, often surrounding compassionate behaviour. Although I acknowledge that there are some humans out there doing some very bad things, I believe that inherently, people are good. For me, engaging in compassionate behaviour brings two key positive responses.
1. You experience less sadness, because you are making a conscious choice to see the good, more than the bad.
2. Your interactions with more people will be more successful (regardless of whether you have my good looks).
What I've been trying is what I call "Human Amazement Spotting", and here's how it works.
On a regular basis (this is important), if you're out for a walk (though you could do it while watching people on the TV, though being out is better), in your mind, randomly select a person (selecting different people from different demographics helps). Gaze at them (in a way that won't get you thumped/arrested), and think "Wow, this person has/is able to...", and then as creatively as you can, list some pretty awesome things they can do. You're likely not to know this person, and so can't say "well, s/he's really good at cooking/football/playing the piano", but you don't need to do that. Let me give you an example of what I've been trying to give you an idea.
Setting the scene. I'm out for a walk, and I see someone walking towards me. Their gender/dress sense/race/perceived religious stance is of little interest to me, as more often than not, we allow an unconscious bias to inform us more than it should. Instead, I will say say that this is a person, a human being. They're capable of cell reproduction, the ability to smile, the ability to love and care for others. They can create and invent new things. They can tell jokes and make people smile. They have an immune system, which is capable of winning amazing battles. They have the skills to engage in billions of calculations each second which enables them to drive a car. Their muscle fibres allow them to place one foot in front of another to walk.
The list actually is probably endless. And then, when you are listing these awe-inspiring qualities, remind yourself of how lucky you were, even if just for a brief moment, to be in the presence of that person. Perhaps you just walked past them in the street, queued behind them in the shop, or disagreed with them in a meeting. You were still in the presence (just as they were!) or a creature of greatness.
I've been doing this now for a few weeks, and have found it very rewarding. Essentially, it's making a conscious choice to see beneath the obvious dividers and focus on the common attributes we all share : to be creatures of wonder.
1. You experience less sadness, because you are making a conscious choice to see the good, more than the bad.
2. Your interactions with more people will be more successful (regardless of whether you have my good looks).
What I've been trying is what I call "Human Amazement Spotting", and here's how it works.
On a regular basis (this is important), if you're out for a walk (though you could do it while watching people on the TV, though being out is better), in your mind, randomly select a person (selecting different people from different demographics helps). Gaze at them (in a way that won't get you thumped/arrested), and think "Wow, this person has/is able to...", and then as creatively as you can, list some pretty awesome things they can do. You're likely not to know this person, and so can't say "well, s/he's really good at cooking/football/playing the piano", but you don't need to do that. Let me give you an example of what I've been trying to give you an idea.
Setting the scene. I'm out for a walk, and I see someone walking towards me. Their gender/dress sense/race/perceived religious stance is of little interest to me, as more often than not, we allow an unconscious bias to inform us more than it should. Instead, I will say say that this is a person, a human being. They're capable of cell reproduction, the ability to smile, the ability to love and care for others. They can create and invent new things. They can tell jokes and make people smile. They have an immune system, which is capable of winning amazing battles. They have the skills to engage in billions of calculations each second which enables them to drive a car. Their muscle fibres allow them to place one foot in front of another to walk.
The list actually is probably endless. And then, when you are listing these awe-inspiring qualities, remind yourself of how lucky you were, even if just for a brief moment, to be in the presence of that person. Perhaps you just walked past them in the street, queued behind them in the shop, or disagreed with them in a meeting. You were still in the presence (just as they were!) or a creature of greatness.
I've been doing this now for a few weeks, and have found it very rewarding. Essentially, it's making a conscious choice to see beneath the obvious dividers and focus on the common attributes we all share : to be creatures of wonder.
