Compassionate

A study out of UCSF (aka a medical school that is so beyond my reach it's essentially orbiting another planet) has shown the the richer you are, the worse you are at reading the emotions of others. In other words, DUH. 

Even though I make a modest salary and am fresh out of college, I think that I can definitely benefit from some perspective and a self-evaluation of my own level of compassion for others. Conveniently, this was Martha's Whole Living Challenge of the Day yesterday: to Be Compassionate. 


She suggests a zen approach, which literally consists of conjuring up an image of a loved one and repeating to ones self good things about this person. Although this seems silly, it's essentially nothing more than praying for someone... minus the whole higher being part. Since I have been meaning to get my prayer on a bit more and to get back into my Jewish practice because I have been totally slacking, I figured this would be a great start. 


Plus, it's Martha Stewart-approved! That's the best.


From http://wholelivingdaily.wholeliving.com/2011/05/todays-challenge-practice-empathy.html:

Challenge of the Day: Be Compassionate Posted by Whole Living Action Plan

The wealthier you are, the less adept you may be at reading another person’s emotions. So says researchers at the University of California, San Francisco. No matter where you fall on the socio-economic scale, empathy and compassion are skills that can be honed. In her book Real Happiness, meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg suggests building your empathy muscles by sitting quietly and calling up an image of someone you love while repeating silently, "May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you live with ease." Try it when you find yourself sitting still today—on the bus, at the doctor's office, or before bed.