No matter how optimistic you may be, your optimism may not necessarily affect another person who is feeling down and dark, unless you are able to connect with him/her with compassion.
Recently, I was asked by a potential client if I had a psychology degree. I told him that I was a qualified counsellor, a life coach, and clinical nutritionist, but not a clinical psychologist. He seemed concerned and asked me how I could help him and his wife with their marital challenges when I did not have a psychology degree. I told him I had extensive life experience and in-depth knowledge to know that I could help him and his wife to at least process any feelings of hurt, pain, trauma or self-loathing, which are usually the key feelings that need processing when trying to rebuild a dysfunctional marriage.
He then asked me matter-of-factly, ‘What else?’
I answered, ‘Compassionate connection. It’s me knowing and you seeing that I’m not just preaching, but actually walking the walk and talking the talk.’
Daily Affirmations to Cultivate Compassion
| Compassion for | Daily Affirmation |
| Self | I am aware that I have made some choices in life that have not worked in my favour. I embrace my flaws and I move forward with ultimate faith in Allah (swt) that He may guide me to make better choices. |
| My Spouse | I am aware that my husband/wife has had a different upbringing than mine. She/He deserves to be treated with respect. I respect and understand my husband/wife. |
| My Child | I am aware that my child is growing up in a different kind of world than the one I grew up in. My child has a different perception of the world than mine. I respect my child and seek to understand his/her perceptions. |
| My Parents | I am aware that my parents have a traditional approach to life. Their battles and challenges have been different from mine. I respect my parents and seek to understand them, learn from them and enrich my life through an open mind. |
Here’s a poem from my book, The Soul Speaks, entitled Self-Love:
Self-Love
You say you care about the world
Yet you care not for yourself
You say you love the children of the world
Yet you love not the child in you
You say you forgive others
Yet you forgive not yourself
You say you want the best for others
Yet you embrace not the good that comes your way
You say you want to heal from all that causes you pain
Yet you choose to re-live painful memories everyday
You say you love Allah
Yet you are unkind to Allah’s creation that is closest to you
Yes, you are Allah’s creation that is closest to you
Appreciate yourself
Care for yourself
Be kind to yourself
Be compassionate with yourself
Forgive yourself
Love yourself
Remember…
You are Allah’s creation that is closest to you.
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