11 Ways To Spread Compassion on 9/11
Honoring 9/11 Victims Through Compassion and Service
In honor of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, many people are answering the call to service by volunteering in their local communities to honor those affected by 9/11. Giving back to the community through compassionate and mindful service unites us as we strive towards community empowerment and restoration.
9/11 is a Day Of Service that represents an opportunity for us all to come together in the spirit of compassion, mindfulness, and service to shine our light upon the community through compassion. As a result of compassionate service, all communities experience empowering, healing, and restoration of hope.
The Need for Compassion on 9/11 and Beyond
Cultivating compassion is like planting a tree. Just as a seed needs the proper natural conditions to grow into a fruitful tree, seeds of compassion need to be planted within yourself and your community, in order to sprout and cultivate empowerment, hope, and healing. One great way to exercise compassion is through service to your community. Your own personal investment towards cultivating compassion within yourself and your community begins with practicing compassion actively, not passively.
How much compassion have you cultivated within yourself and your community?
What Compassion tools can you use to empower yourself and your community?
Here are 11 great ways you can practice compassion on 9/11 to empower yourself and your community...
C.O.M.P.A.S.S.I.O.N.
C-Curiosity
Practice curiosity instead of criticism. In the midst of a conversation or interaction with someone, if you find yourself becoming critical or judgmental over someone’s thoughts, emotions, actions, or decisions, practice curiosity.
To embody an attitude of curiosity, begin by asking the person a question(s) so they can explain and clarify their thoughts. By asking someone a question, it allows you to understand the why (reasoning faculty) behind their thought process. By knowing someone’s WHY, you gain greater wisdom, insight, and understanding into their life and situation.
Here are some examples:
“Why did you say or do __________”
“What was your reasoning behind ______?”
“I’m curious to know more about________, could you tell me more?”
O-Openness
Be open to giving to others through different means: physical resources, mental resources, emotional resources, and practical resources. Pick a type of resource below, and practice giving to your community in whatever way you can. There’s always some way to contribute towards others, no matter how big or small. For instance:
Physical Resources-time, effort, work, money, materials
Mental Resources-mindfulness, thoughtfulness, knowledge, wisdom, attention
Emotional Resources-empathy, compassion, love, kindness
Practical Resources-food, transportation, information, skills
M-Mindful Meditation
Practice mindful meditation to become more physically, mentally, and emotionally aware and focused.
Mindfulness Meditation Resources: Mindfulness Meditations (YouTube):
P-Practical Action
Take practical action by serving your community through community service. Here are a few community Service Opportunities:
A-Acceptance
Practice acceptance by acknowledging your thoughts, feelings, actions, and decisions. Practice compassionate acceptance and acknowledgement with yourself using the suggestions below.
Self Listening-Practice - checking in with yourself throughout the day by taking periodic pauses to assess your physical, mental, and emotional state of being.
Body - what sensations do I feel right now? How is my physical body doing?
Mind - What kinds of thoughts have I been having? What am I focused on?
Emotions - How do I feel right now?
S-Support a Cause Within Your Local Community
Support a community cause by signing up for a volunteer opportunity. Pick a community cause that you’re passionate about solving, and sign up for a volunteer opportunity.
Google Search Terms:
"Local Causes Near Me"
“Volunteer Opportunities Near Me”
“Community Organizations Near Me”
S-Sympathetic Listening
“Sympathetic Listening”: is driven by emotion. Instead of focusing on the message spoken through words, the listener focuses on the feelings and emotions of the speaker.” Practice sympathetic listening by focusing on the emotions and feelings of the person speaking, rather than only listening to their words.
I-Intentions of Kindness
Practice setting an intention of kindness through personal affirmations, as well as providing random acts of kindness for yourself and others.
O-Observe Mindfully
Practicing mindful observation is a practice that includes observing yourself, others, and situations from an objective point of view. Mindful observation is a skill in which “You are allowing your immediate experience to just happen – without pushing it away or trying to change it.” By objectively observing your internal and external landscape, and not trying to change it, you create space for greater awareness and insight. Based on the awareness that you gain through mindful observation, you can then appreciate the present moment.
N-Non-Judgment
Practicing non judgment is a mindfulness technique that involves observing yourself, others, and situations without adding in your own personal judgments, labels, or assumptions. Withholding judgment in situations allows you to view life more clearly, while filtering out extraneous thoughts, emotions, and stimuli that could cloud your inner vision.
LET’S GET TO WORK
Today, we can best remember and honor all those who were affected by 9/11 by practicing compassionate service in our local communities. Compassion begins within yourself, which can then be extended out to your family, friends, co-workers, and community.
Each seed of compassion that you implant within yourself and others, then sprouts and grows to become fruitful and abundant. As you actively cultivate greater levels and dimensions of compassion, both you and your community become transformed with empowerment, hope, and healing. Be sure to practice compassionate service within your own personal, professional, and social life one day at a time.
Compassion Works For All is curious to know…
How will you serve your community on 9/11?
Comment Below!
COMPASSION MOVING FORWARD: