How Compassionate Are You?

Do you have compassion? Compassion is when we open our hearts to empathize and extend love to others. It may be easy to have compassion on those who you see as suffering from life events or forces outside of themselves, but can you offer compassion for those who are victims of their own poor choices. Can you have compassion for the homeless crack addict as well as the baby born with health issues? Can you come to a place of compassion for those who are stuck in unawareness, suffering in a living hell of their own doing? If you can have compassion on all who suffer, regardless of the cause of suffering, then this is unconditional compassion.

Unconditional compassion is non judgmental. It comes from a fully open heart. The more open your heart is, the more love you will be able to give and the more love you will be able to feel. A heart with conditional compassion is limited in its ability to fully feel love. The heart becomes blocked. The blockages in a heart are a result of the ego mind pushing for separation from others and spirit. The ego has to justify its existence through thoughts of self righteousness and a “I'm better than you” attitude. These type of trains of thought lead to justification of conditional compassion, which in turn limits our expression of love.

Practice feeling compassion towards those you normally judge as “losers”. The reality is they are suffering because they have lost themselves. Thoughts of judgment only serve to irritate us and reinforce feelings of being better than others. Praying for those who suffer will not only help them, it will enhance your own feelings of serenity and begin to clear away any blockages in your heart. An open heart is able to freely express love to others and feel the immense joy of receiving love.

Lesson:

Practicing unconditional compassion opens your heart, which enables you to fully express and feel love.

Exercise:

Become aware of any instances where you are reluctant to feel compassion for someone who is suffering, regardless of the cause of the suffering. When you find yourself resisting real compassion, say a prayer for them. Pray that their suffering will soon be over. Pray for your heart to open wider and to have compassion on all beings.

Are You Compassionate?

(image drugfreehomes.org)

Do you have compassion? Compassion is when we open our hearts to empathize and extend love to others. It may be easy to have compassion on those who you see as suffering from life events or forces outside of themselves, but can you offer compassion for those who are victims of their own choices. Can you have compassion for the homeless crack addict as well as the baby born with health issues? Can you come to a place of compassion for those who are stuck in unawareness, suffering in a living hell of their own doing? If you can have compassion on all who suffer, regardless of the cause of suffering, then this is unconditional compassion. Practice feeling compassion towards those you normally judge as “losers”. The reality is they are suffering because they have lost themselves. Thoughts of judgment only serve to irritate us and reinforce feelings of being better than others. Praying for those who suffer will not only help them, it will enhance your own feelings of serenity.

Be compassionate, and be happy, my Friends-

Laura Barrette Shannon

Can You Feel It?

CAN YOU FEEL IT?  The voice of intuition is that feeling you get out of nowhere, the urge to go do something out of the ordinary, and the inner guidance that helps us when we need it.  The voice speaks through the body- you will FEEL it. To understand its message, you must clear your mind and listen.  By listening to the still small voice of spirit, you'll be amazed at how life is enriched. You could probably be happy without connecting with spirit, but why would you want to miss out on experiencing the mysteries and wonder of life, and the inner compass to truly find direction to a life of purpose?  The next time you feel spirit calling, stop what you are doing, take a few deep breaths, and answer the call.
Be Happy Now, my Friends-
Laura Barrette Shannon

Self Love Is Not Selfish!

SELF LOVE is not selfish- When you embrace all that you are, loving yourself with all of your heart, it is an act of personal healing and a step toward feeling whole. This is not an act of selfishness, for selfishness is an act of holding onto that which you fear to lose, or acting without regard for other people. True self love is recognizing your self worth, and when you feel your own self wor...th, you will naturally see the worth in others. How you feel about yourself is mirrored onto others. Having self love allows you to forgive not only your own mistakes, but everyone else's too. Love yourself first, then you will have a healthy and whole heart ready to love the world!
Believe that you are perfect just as you are today, even if you decide on a new definition of perfection tomorrow.
Be Happy, my Friends-
Laura barrette Shannon

(photo from holisticyogini.com)

Are Your Ripples Positive?

Like a pebble dropped into a pond
our lives affect many, today and beyond,
causing ripples with what we say
in those we touch throughout the day.
One kind word or action well done
can change the world for someone.
Our thoughts, opinions, and attitudes
are absorbed by all, influencing moods.
Never underestimate the power of words,
'cause what is said is always heard,
rippling waves through space and time,
so keep speech positive and actions kind.

"Rippling Waves" from Awakening Perception

 Everyday we start ripples that affect more people than we will ever know. Please make your ripples something you want amplified, because they are.What are you amplifying to the world today?

Be Happy, my Friends-

Laura Barrette Shannon

Be a Helping Hand

So many times when we take the focus off of ourselves and work to help others, our own problems shrink in size!~Angie Hoover Lawson

This is great advice. Do you feel overwhelmed with your own problems? Or feel like your in a "funk"? Offer to help someone in need.  Become aware of the when people could use some help.  There are so many opportunities to be of service.  It can be as simple as giving someone a ride to the store or offering to do yard work to the old widow next door. Even just bringing someone a warm meal or a plate of cookies can make their whole day brighter. When we pay attention to the needs of others, we're not only helping them, we are helping ourselves in the process. It opens our heart which allows us to feel more love.  Lift the spirits of two people, give someone a helping hand today!
Be Happy, my Friends-

Laura Barrette Shannon

A Feel Good Exercise

(photo from sevenof.com)

Today, let us express our gratitude for life by sharing our appreciation for other people. Smile at strangers, hug the ones close to you, thank the grocery clerk, or call an old friend. The greatest gift we have is the gift of life. Honor that gift by spreading the feeling of appreciation wherever you go. This activity will raise your own spirits as well as those around you.  Truly what attitude you put out into the world is reflected back to you.  You will feel the positive energy with this exercise.
Be Happy, my Friends~
Laura Barrette Shannon

The Frog on the Lily Pad (1 minute story)

(Photo from artistrising.com)

A girl asks her Grandmother, "How do you know what your purpose in life is?" Grandmother takes the child by the hand and leads her to a frog sitting on a lily pad in a pond. "Dear little one, see this frog? Does he have to think about what his purpose is before he sits in the sun to warm himself, or swims with delight with his friends? Does he think about being patient and working hard for his next meal as he awaits a passing fly?" The girl responds, "I guess he just does those things naturally, Grandma." "Yes, and by following his instincts and doing what he naturally yearns to do he is living his life's purpose."

Think more with your heart than your head and live on purpose! :)

Be Happy, my Friends~
Laura Barrette Shannon

Looking for Love?

(photo from istockphoto.com)

LOOKING FOR LOVE? If you want to draw more loving relationships into your life, first you must GIVE more love to those around you. When we give ourselves to others in service and genuine loving kindness we open our heart, which allows us to receive more love. If your heart isn't open, then how can love get in?

OPEN HEART CHALLENGE: This week, tell 10 (that's right 10) people that you love or appreciate them for being part of your life. Don't just say it, follow it up with details. 

Examples: Coworker- "I really appreciate the the time we share at lunch. You are a good friend." Neighbor- "I love being your neighbor. You are always so friendly, I feel blessed to have you next door." Mailman: "I've never really had a chance to tell you that I appreciate all the hard work you do delivering my mail. Thank you!"

 

You get the idea. Be creative, seek out people who are often ignored in their role in your life, janitors, sales clerks, long lost relatives and distant friends. This exercise will effectively open your heart and also spread love to others, sometimes making their whole day better with just a few simple words. Spread the seeds of happiness and you will be amazed at how good you feel too. Practice opening your heart and you will be amazed at the response from people around you. They will be drawn to you like a magnet! 

Be Happy, my Friends-

Laura Barrette Shannon