I’m having a hard time cultivating compassion in these days of… all the things. Compassion is action oriented – it requires four steps from us: recognizing, understanding, empathizing and responding.Compassion is an action word. Sometimes I don’t have any energy for action anywhere in me. Carrie Newcomer reflects that:
Perhaps the place to start is not to ask
“What can I do” but first ask “What do I love”.
Begin from there, where the heart expands
Where you know for sure
What actually matters,
Because it is love, always
Love, that keeps pointing us in the right
General direction, Illuminating
The path, even if it cannot always
Clear the way.
– Carrie Newcomer
What helps grow your heart? I am reminded that cultivating takes time. It’s done in the smallest steps …
Our soulful home packet suggests a tiny compassion challenge:
For One Week – “The Tiny Compassion Challenge During the weeks to come, challenge your family to be compassionate people who look for opportunities to be empathetic. ***Start with what you love*** As UUs, not only do we train our hearts to be compassionate, but we look for ways to actively answer compassion’s call to show up in both tiny and big ways.
Options:
1. Find It – “Eyes of Kindness” Each morning, pause for ten seconds and quietly ask yourself, “Who might need a little kindness today?” Look around—at school, home, the playground, or online—and notice one person who might be feeling left out, rushed, nervous, or unseen.
2. Choose It – “Pocket‑Size Acts” Pick one tiny act you can carry out that day. Keep it simple: Pocket‑Size Acts How It Ripples Flash a genuine smile Offer a sincere compliment Hold the door or share supplies Invite a classmate into your game Write a quick thank‑you note Lifts a mood, invites connection Reminds someone of their worth Eases another’s stress Breaks down loneliness Spreads gratitude further
3. Do It – “One Step, One Smile” Carry out your tiny act. No fanfare, no selfies—just quiet care. Remember: big change begins with one small motion, just like a single pebble starts many ripples.
4. Log It – “Ripple Record” At day’s end, jot a sentence or draw a picture on an index card: ● Who did you help? ● What did you do? ● How do you think it might ripple outward? Bring your cards back next session to hang on our Ripple Wall. Watching the wall fill up shows how many waves of kindness our group can make in just one week.
5. Reflect It – “Heart Check‑In” At the end of the month, read your records as a family and ask: ● Which act felt easiest? Which felt hardest? ● Did you notice any new hurts you’d never seen before? ● How did practicing tiny compassion change your mood? ● Optional journal prompt: “When I notice small hurts, I can… ”