T   H   E   Y

.       .       .say that Class is always in Session,

but it really does make a difference

as to which one,

doesn’t it?

C          O          M        P          A          S          S          I          O          N          1  0  1 : 

The   understanding   and   application   of   what   it   means   to

“S        u        f        f        e        r               W        I        T       H” 

a      n      o      t      h      e      r ;

to learn and then to apply

the feeling that arises

when one is confronted with another’s suffering

and likewise

t         h          e          n

being motivated to relieve that suffering

in a single distinct

or varied ways.        .        .

Are      you      signing      up?

Is         it         required

FOR YOU–

D   O       Y   O   U       N   E   E   D       IT ?

What   would   your   final   project   include?

Would you

Pass/Fail?

Up until now,

not a whole lot

was

 s     c     i      e     n     t     i     f     i     c     a     l     l     y 

known about our potential

or possibility to actually create compassion—

the emotional state of caring for people

who are suffering in a way

that motivates a more caring behavior for others.

W     E     L     L            .           .

Researchers at the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds

at the Waisman Center of the University of Wisconsin-Madison

actually proves that people can become more compassionate.

T       h       e       y 

had the  SPECIMENS  practice compassion,

first on a loved one,

then someone like a friend,

and then for themselves

and then someone they actually had past conflict with

like a troublesome co-worker.

T h e y 

actually   surmised   that   people   can   actually   build   up   their

c     o     m     p     a     s     s     i     o     n           m     u     s     c     l     e 

and respond to other’s suffering

with care and a sincere desire to help;

So.          .         .

I   F

you are in particular need of some training

or at least a good refresher

you can actually go to the

Center for Investigating Healthy Minds 

website and Compassion on UP.        .        .

O    R

we   could   just   actually   be   more   compassionate.         .         .

on our own.         .         .

on purpose.         .         .

intentionally!

How?

Dare to assume,

yes,

actually on purpose,

intentionally,

wholeheartedly

‘that every person you have contact with,

every day

on every occasion

just actually might be having the worst day of their lives.        .        .

Seriously, if you treated every person that way–

as if they were having their worst day,

suffered a terrible loss,

found out horrific personal news–

you don’t think you would be more compassionate

and that in fact,

they wouldn’t severely benefit?

It’ll cost you little

to hold a door,

pick up a dropped piece of paper or book,

compliment a hairstyle or a pair of glasses,

a shirt,

pay for the cup of coffee for the one behind you,

throw a quarter in the parking meter,

pass a tissue,

wash a car windshield

or being as anonymously creative as you can let yourself imagine.        .        .

Hmmmmmmm of the day:

Y O U     W I L L     F E E L     B E T T E R      A N D     B E N E F I T !

Psssssssssssst:

There’s a study to prove it

.            .            . or you can actually find out on your own;

Don’t decide to be more Compassionate.      .      .

Just one person,

one act,

one deed at a time,

d o      i t .

And then.     .     .

just better yourself,

beat your own record every day,

by doing  just one more kind act than yesterday.        .         .

W          O          W

Look at that Compassion Muscle,

F          l          e           x  !

Impressive!

See you at the Blackboard, Class