Compassion What is compassion? Compassion is the desire to ease others' suffering. Compassion is a sympathetic awareness of another' distress combined with a desire to alleviate it. Kindness and caring are shown. Service and generosity are ways that compassion can be demonstrated. Kind compassionate children: Recognize and express appreciation for others' talents and skills Put others' needs before their own Help others because they want to Listen and provide sympathy Show kindness without expecting rewards Tell and show others they care Share Recognize and help those less fortunate than themselves Try to make the world a better place You show compassion when you ... Comfort a friend whose mother has been taken to the hospital Bring blankets and food to a family in need in your community Volunteer at a senior citizen nursing home Take action and stop someone who is being cruel to an animal Listen when people confide in you Help out at the Special Olympics Bring ice cream to a friend who has had his or her tonsils removed Can understand why your best friend is depressed about a divorce Send a donation to help people starving in a foreign country Tutor a younger child who is having trouble in school Tips on becoming more compassionate and caring Be a good listener Look people directly in the eye when they speak Look for kids at school who are being left out and inviting them to join in activities Stick up for someone being teased Each week, do one nice thing for a friend or family member Proverbs and maxims The course of human history is determined, not by what happens in the skies, but by what takes place in our hearts. (Sir Arthur Keith) Never, if possible, lie down at night without being able to say: I have made one human being, at least, a little wiser, a little happier, or a little better this day. (Charles Kingsley) More quotes on compassion and kindness Kindness gives birth to kindness. (Sophocles) Be nice to people on your way up because you'll meet them on your way down. (Wilson Mizner) Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read. (Mark Twain) Kindness in words creates confidence. (Lao-tzu) Heroes and heroines Dalai Lama - is the spiritual leader of Tibet who continues to speak of forgiveness, justice, and living together in harmony. Mother Teresa - worked in the slums of Calcutta, India, helping and nursing the poor and sick. She had a great reverence for human life. Jane Addams - founded Hull House, a settlement house for the poor, and worked for child labor laws, safe working conditions, better housing, and women's suffrage or right to vote. Father Damien - became a resident priest for those suffering from Hansen's disease on Molokai. Put compassion into action Be friendly to someone who needs a friend. Do helpful things at home without being asked. Be generous with your time and your belongings. Create and participate in a litter control program. Plan and participate in food drives. Look for ways to help in any situation without being asked. Put someone else's need before your own. Look for ways to help in your community. Try to understand why a family member or friend is sad. Forgive someone who has hurt you. Talk with your family about the problems of the homeless and find a way to help. Try to understand someone who you disagree with or don't like. Community service ideas Recycle aluminum cans. Put the money earned into a local food bank. Offer to help an elderly neighbor with their chores. Take a meal to someone who is ill. Write a letter or send a card of compassion to a victim of some recent tragedy. Create a school bulletin board where students and teachers can recognize people who have demonstrated great compassion. Choose a historical figure who represents compassion. Write and perform a short play about the person.