2011: The Year of Compassion & Empathy

[OneGrassRoot]

(I saw several posts with a similar "2011: The Year of....." subject line, so I thought I'd go ahead and share my blog post here as well, as my New Year's greeting to DU. It's sappy by DU measures, but I'm sharing anyway. I took it upon myself to proclaim 2011 as the Year of Compassion & Empathy. Why not, right? :))



You have the capacity to change the world within a moment. All you must do is make a simple choice. Are you going to choose a world of love and gratitude, or a tortured world filled with discontent and impoverishment? The answer will depend upon your attitude at this very moment.”

~ Masaru Emoto


As we move into a new year, let us focus on the world we choose to create, knowing that — by coming together with focused intent — we can indeed create a better, brighter future…a better, brighter Now.

Let us go through our days choosing to be mindful of Compassion and Empathy, starting by being kinder to ourselves, aware of all life around us and how we’re, ultimately, all connected.

Let us choose responsibility, not judgment.

Let us choose more cooperation, less competition.

Let us choose to see more “we,” less “me.”

Let us choose hope and courage, not fear and apathy.

Let us choose love and kindness, not hatred and anger.

Let us choose genuine unity, not division.

Let us choose to allow ourselves to feel for one another, for all of Humanity and all life on this beautiful planet.

Putting ourselves in the shoes of another not only opens our minds, it opens our hearts. Empathy is not a weakness, it is a strength..a gift.

With Empathy and an open heart, all manner of Good is possible.

Wishing everyone a most blessed New Year!

http://wishadoo.com/wp-2011-the-year-of-compassion-empathy

:grouphug:

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Thank you.

[OneGrassRoot]

2. You're welcome. :) n/t

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Speaking of empathy, I highly recommend this video...

and the series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC7ANGMy0yo&feature=player_embedded


"It's more realistic to see ourselves as integrally connected to the natural & social world rather than a separate, wholly autonomous entity." by RSA Animate

:hi:

[HCE SuiGeneris]

4. Peace to you,

and to all the good people of this planet.

[OneGrassRoot]

8. And to you, HCE SuiGeneris...

:hug:

[mmonk]

5. Nice. Thanks.

Let's try and make a better year for our society regardless of its politics.:thumbsup:

[OneGrassRoot]

9. And in spite of the politics...

;)

:hug:

[mmonk]

13. So right.

:hug:

[Starry Messenger]

6. k&r

Happy New Year OneGrassRoot! :hug:

[OneGrassRoot]

10. And to you, Starry Messenger!

:hug:

[nenagh]

7. I thank you as well, OneGrassRoot...

And I add a little message: Today, for the first time I took a chance on hurting my lovely neighbours' feelings.

I had quantities of cheeses, crackers, cookies, chips, dips, fizzy drinks etc left over from Christmas with my children..

So I packaged everything up in a huge wicker basket and snazzy shopping bag, and like Elder Red Riding Hood took the goodies next door to my wonderful neighbours who I know, are struggling with the mortgage..

I just didn't want to hurt their feelings.. but they met me with great smiles.. and I know that their children and friends will enjoy the extras..

It makes me smile even now.. :) and it was so easy to do, even though it took a little courage ..

[OneGrassRoot]

12. How wonderful, nenagh...

It made me smile as well. :)

You've made a lot of people smile with that one act of kindness, no doubt.

Happy New Year...:hug:

[freshwest]

11. Wonderful. Where it's at from now on out.

[handmade34]

14. thanks... good idea

we need to be there for each other...


"New research reveals that reminders of wealth impair our capacity to savor life's little pleasures"


http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=can-money-buy-happiness

"...although wealth may grant us opportunities to purchase many things, it simultaneously impairs our ability to enjoy those things..."

[OneGrassRoot]

17. Thank you for this article, handmade34...

:hug:

:hi:

[FirstLight]

15. "sappy by DU standards..."

:rofl:Yes, but that's why we LOVE YOU!

Thank you for making a bold statement on the side of positivity and choice.
Sometimes the world out there ain't pretty, and we see so much BS that we get not only cynical, but hopeless...
So much of our political discourse (and our lives) are focused on angst and what we are NOT happy with.
This year we have the choice to make a positive choice, even if we can't change the world as a whole, or the congress, or the wars...

we CAN change how we relate to others on a day to day basis.
we CAN change how we relate to our environment on a personal level

we CAN choose to make a small ripple of difference in the ponds we live in,
and perhaps that will eventually create a tidal wave of compassion, empathy, stewardship and creative solutions to our issues...

:hug:
I CHOOSE all of the above :loveya:

[OneGrassRoot]

16. Well said!

:yourock:

:hug:

[CanonRay]

18. Did John Boehner approve this?

I don't think it's in the program, unfortunately.

[OneGrassRoot]

19. Not THEIR program....

We know right-wingers loathe words like compassion and empathy, The Common Good, etc.

We can embrace it, however.

:hi:

[DearAbby]

20. I like it