How to be a more compassionate member of your community

Compassion is crucial to living a fulfilling life. It strengthens our relationships with others and makes us better people. While charity and volunteering are great ways to show compassion, there are many other things you can do to evolve into a more compassionate person. Here are a few tips on how we can become more compassionate members of our community!

Small steps

To show more compassion and kindness, you can start with small actions. Practice being more polite and helpful towards others. For instance, if an older adult is having difficulty crossing the road or carrying their bags, help them out! It is also a great idea to be vocal about your appreciation: if someone helps you or does a good job at something, tell them that you appreciate it. Appreciation cheers people up, makes them feel valued, and motivates them to keep going.

Additionally, you should practice showing yourself the kindness you wish to show to others. Often, we support and care for others but forget to care for ourselves in the same way. So be kind to, and believe in, yourself.

Take Emergency Training

Sometimes we find ourselves in the middle of an emergency, and most people do not know how to respond. However, it is important to be prepared for emergencies as it can prevent the situation from getting worse, and can even save lives.

Therefore, one of the most important steps you can take towards being a more compassionate person is to be prepared to help during emergencies. You can take training on (or read about) how to perform CPR, how to help a choking person, how to provide first aid, and more. 

Support Others

When someone is going through a difficult phase, you can and should show your support. In such situations, we can often feel hesitant to reach out because we are not sure what the right thing to say is. If you feel this way, try providing them with some positive reinforcement. Highlight their strengths, accomplishments, as well as talents to cheer them up and boost their confidence. Let them know that you believe in them and that you have full faith that they will make it through their hardships. Also, remember to tell them that you are here for them and will support them.

Moreover, you can show your support not only through words but also through actions. Offer help to them or find ways to lift their spirits. For instance, you can take them out for a movie or a drive to help them get a break from what they are struggling with. 

By reading this, you have already taken your first step towards becoming more compassionate. Follow the tips above and track your efforts as you grow into a kinder person!

— Akshita Goswami