What makes a person compassionate?
I enjoy news stories that highlight individual acts of compassion involving action because it is usually strangers helping complete strangers. We hear a lot about how people should be more compassionate. Perhaps something as easy as listening is enough. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego decided to investigate factors that influence compassion in later life. They surveyed a randomly chosen group of more than 1,000 adults (ages 50 to 99) living in San Diego County. They found three factors that predicted an individuals level of compassion: gender, a recent experience of personal loss, and a high level of mental resiliency. It is no surprise to me that women reported higher levels of compassion than men, but among both men and women those with the most compassion had experienced a significant loss or hardship within the previous year. The third factor also found within both genders was mental resiliency. In the study, mental resiliency was defined as the ability to bounce back after experiencing significant life events and/or adversity.  At times, individuals lack compassion because their belief system isnt shared with the other person or organization. As for myself, I have strong opinions against wild horses and do not share the same compassion as some do for the horses fate. One may argue that I am not compassionate toward fish and cattle because of my diet. There are many levels of compassion, but that is not for any of us to judge nor rally against each other because of our own beliefs. As the Dalai Lama said, Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.  Practicing self compassion is also very important. According to Kristen Neff, PhD, associate professor of human development at the University of Texas at Austin, there are physiological data supporting the claim that self-compassionate people have better emotional coping skills. Neff, a leading researcher on the subject, says there are three facets of self-compassion:  Having self-kindness instead of self judgment; recognizing that suffering is part of the shared human experience; acceptance /mindfulness. In other words, one needs to have self-compassion to practice compassion. Psychological Science suggests that training in mindfulness mediation significantly increases compassionate behavior. This weeks maintaining balance exercise is to recite a mantra throughout the day as you consciously breathe. As you are brushing your teeth, washing the pots and pans, walking the dog, inhale as if you are filling your belly, bringing your breath into your lungs as your ribs expand in all directions lengthen your exhale slowly. Perhaps take a pause after the exhalation if that feels comfortable. Remember to lift the pit of your abdomen. Here is a mantra which may work for you: I am compassionate, I am loving, I am kind or I am mindful, I am loving. Find a mantra that works for you. We all know that sometimes the simplest compassionate act may have a huge impact on the person or people you are helping. Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle," Plato said. Feel free to share your thoughts with me: ashton@ashtoncannon.com. Ashton Graham is an educator, book publisher, photographer, cowgirl and yoga enthusiast. She is currently studying to become a certified yoga therapist and lives on a ranch in West Texas. More Maintaining Balance: