From Outpour to Influx: Compassion 180°
Can You Turn Compassion Inward?
We often find it easier to care for others than ourselves—I know this deeply, both from my own life and from working with hundreds of clients.
Making that U-turn may be one of the toughest yet most impactful moves we make toward creating a more compassionate world. This month, I’m sharing simple ways to turn compassion inward, as it’s essential for healing and restoring global harmony.
Quick Tips for Self-Compassion
Mirror the Care You Give
Think of something kind you’ve said to others—now say it to yourself. Repeat it daily until it feels natural. At first, compassion may feel unfamiliar, but with practice, it carves a new neural path in your mind—one that, over time, feels like home.
“Fake It Till You Make It”
A soft smile, even forced, can signal joy to your body. Thich Nhat Hanh teaches that “your smile can be the source of your joy.” I’ve found that even when smiling feels empty, it eventually helps rebuild joy and self-kindness.
Practice Meditation
A quick meditation, whether 2 minutes or 20, helps anchor self-compassion. I love guided meditations from Ruth King and Tara Brach on Dharmaseed.org. If sitting isn’t for you, try walking or sound meditation.
Radical Self-Care Takes Practice
As a Highly Sensitive Person, Acupuncturist and Shiatsu therapist, I’ve spent years caring for others. Turning that care inward took time, but it works. Undoing the belief that my worth is tied to giving was hard, but I now know: I deserve care too—and so do you. It’s not my fault my worth is tangled in work and caregiving, but it is my responsibility to untangle it.
We live in a world that makes self-criticism easy, but just as we care for others, we must care for ourselves. Healing is possible, and daily practice makes a difference.
Salish Sea, Sky and Shoreline. Photographed by Lu Lam.
Metta & Mindfulness
Introduced to Buddhist teachings 17 years ago, Metta practice is a cornerstone of my self-compassion journey. Like weightlifting, we start with what we can handle and build soul strength over time. Post serious burnout life inherently thrives, with survival only one part of living. Metta reminds me that caring for me is not indulgent, but necessary.
Explore this Metta practice from Tuere Sala, an urban meditation facilitator.
What Piece of Care Can You Pick Up Today?
Practice makes possible, compassion for the world is at the centre of compassion for you, and vice versa . I’d love to hear how you practice self-compassion. Share your thoughts—or pass this along to someone who might need these reminders. Let’s keep the Qi moving.
This month, if this post resonates, please invite your community to join the list and help cultivate a world of well-being.
April 1, 2025
