How often have you been trapped in a burning building?

Remember how the blazing flames cams so close. You were sure you were going to be burned alive. The smoke was so forceful that you were convinced it would devour you and everything you had achieved up until that moment was going to be taken away by a force you could not control.

But then you found a window.  You broke the glass.  You ignored your fears as you jumped out.

You hit the ground, landing on your feet. You began to run from the building.

And then you stopped.

You turned and looked back.  You knew there were other people trapped inside the building.  You wanted to go back and get them out.  You knew that if you could escape from the fire, and survive, so could they.

You wanted to help them understand that no matter how fiery their lives got, they could get through the worst and survive.  Just like you did.

This is compassion.

COMPASSION

Healing is like breathing-it's just as important to take things in as it is to let things out. Both balance each other.

Being able to love yourself and respect yourself is necessary. Having compassion for the world around you, and all the things in it, is just as necessary.  Compassion is the ability to experience someone else's pain as if it were your own and to respond to their pain with all the love in heart.

Having compassion doesn't mean you have to bend over backwards to always forgive people, always be polite, and always be patient. Compassion can take the form of tough love.

Everything you have ever learned, all of your wisdom, can be turned into compassion.  What you have learned about people will help you to understand them more. The more you understand, the more you can accept them.

But first, you have to understand yourself.

SURVIVING

There are four essential life elements. They are as important to you as food, water, air, and sleep.  They are the vibrant forces that work together to create the unique spirit that you are.

The stronger you make these elements the happier you will be.

1. Self-Image
Imagine you have been handcuffed to another person. The two of you will be together for the rest of your lives.  It would make sense to try and get along with each other since the two of you will be spending so much time together.  Any arguing, hate, distrust, fear, and/or nervousness that existed between the two of you would take up a lot of time and energy. Your relationship with your handcuff partner would become a constant stress and struggle.

But imagine if you both got along. You'd feel less lonely.  You'd be stronger, happier, more at ease.

Your self-image is your constant companion.

2. Inner Strength
Is giving up or giving in an option for you?
Your inner strength is like a furnace. When you chose to, you can crank up the heat and see for yourself just how exorbitant your power of will truly is.

You have inner strength. It's gotten you to this point.

Feed it with positive addictions that will give you more strength (like eating a lot of spinach). Walk away from negative addictions that take your strength away (like eating a lot of potato chips).

Celebrate your inner strength.  You worked hard for it.

3. Personal Control
If you don't control the happenings in your life, they will begin to control you.

There are four things you need to be aware of when it comes to controlling your life:
 -Your feelings: Control your feelings with your thoughts rather than letting emotions take over when things go bad.
 -Your thoughts: You are a product of your thoughts. It takes only 15 SECONDS for a thought to turn into a memory.  When you catch yourself thinking something negative, STOP!!! Transform the negative thought by repeating a positive vow you have created for yourself. Repeat it. Repeat it.  Repeat it.
 -Your words:
Here is an exercise:

Sit in a quiet place for a few minutes.

Relax.

Let your mind drift.  Imagine as though you were sitting on a park bench casually watching the people around you. Ease into a flow.

Now focus on your thoughts.  Approach them as casually as the people you would observe in the park.

There's no need to judge or analyze. Just acknowledge each of your thoughts as they seemingly pass by.

Say each thought out loud.
Listen to the words you choose.

YOUR WORDS DEFINE WHO YOU ARE.

- Your actions: Make no mistake, in your world, you are a God (or Goddess).  Your actions do not go unnoticed.  Your actions can have a profound influence on the way people around you end up feeling about themselves. Be aware of that.
 Begin with yourself. Your thoughts support your actions. Your actions support your thoughts.

4. Life Meaning
You are not here to do battle.  You are not here to work endlessly without any reward.  You are not here to be at the mercy of someone else's cruelty.  Find your spark.  Find the one thing that will bring you the greatest amount of joy right now Find a reason to LIVE.

Shine for yourself so that other people will be inspired to find their flame.

RESPECT

When you believe all people are equal and have the right and deserve to be treated equal, you have mastered RESPECT.

When you have the ability to respect, kindness will naturally follow.
KINDNESS

Each time you give something of yourself to someone else, whether it be respect, love, or generosity, you grow stronger. You will succeed when you help someone else succeed.

When you have the ability to be kind, compassion will naturally follow.

WHAT GOES AROUND...

When you become gentle and compassionate with yourself, other people will adorn you with their gentleness and compassion.  And once you have experienced the beauty of compassion you will recognize the compassion in your own heart and release it into the world.

FINAL THOUGHT:
 
"Every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you."
-Walt Whitman