Letting go of personal judgements temporarily in order to appreciate the perspectives different from your own is compassion. Compassion is a concern we have when we are faced with the suffering of others and feel a desire to see that suffering relieved. Compassion is a part of our experience of being human. When faced with pain of our dear ones, we instinctively reach out to reassure them. Similarly, when someone reaches out to us in our times of distress we feel touched and overwhelmed.   

To be compassionate, one needs to have feelings for others and be genuinely concerned about the needs and well-being of other people. When we are compassionate, it is easier for us to understand why people do what they do.

In our society, we have been ignoring the role that compassion plays in determining our nature and behaviour.

The value of compassion shows that we care, we express gratitude, we are kind, we help people in need, and we respect other people’s feelings.  The healthy interpersonal and social relationships are built on the sound foundation of compassion. But the seeds of becoming compassionate need to be sown in the early years of the child’s age.  When children learn to be compassionate, they learn to be better and strong individuals and grow to become happy, fulfilled individuals. 

We care for our children and love them. We, as parents, teachers, elder siblings, and educators can teach compassion by setting an example for them. Treating each other with understanding and compassion is a great value to have both in personal, social and professional life. It is important to know why some people are happier, more successful, more contented, and better achievers. It is because they value their commitment to others and to their relationship with them.

The why behind this commitment is COMPASSION. They do this as:

• They have given their time, attention and care to help others.
• They follow value based principles.
• They believe in passing on the legacy of values.
• Their morals consider the interests of others first.
• They never settle for less and constantly strive to improve the experiences of others.
• They have the desire to meet the changing needs of others and mould themselves with time.

In today’s work place, success often depends on collaborating effectively with others and children who are compassionate are also better collaborators, another excellent and must have value in today’s competitive times.