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"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." - Dalai Lama
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Compassion is cultivated through kindness, empathy, warmth, tolerance, and love. It is what will define my 2017. Here are a few ways to cultivate compassion in your own life.Â
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1. Show Yourself Compassion. Each morning, begin your day by offering yourself a few kind words.Â
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2. Practice Empathy. Replace judgement with genuine understanding by putting yourself in another's shoes; truly experience what they are experiencing.Â
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3. Focus on Similarities. Look for ways that you similar to those around you rather than different. All human beings have the same basic needs; focus on this simple fact.Â
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4. Be Kind. Offer a smile or a few kind words to someone in your daily travels.
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5.  Actively listen. Show interest in what another person is saying by letting them finish, asking questions, and clarifying what you hear rather than offering opinions and your own perspective.
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6. Allow for self-healing. Seek support for past traumas. Be patient with yourself and practice self-love and tolerance of emotional pain.
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7.  Learn to be present. Pay attention to what is happening around you. Make eye contact. Observe body language. Appreciate your surroundings.Â
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8. Make your own care a priority. Discover what it is you need to replenish your energy. Practice these things daily.Â