Image via Pinterest. Must say I L.O.V.E it!
As much as I would like to, I don’t believe we are born with compassion. I think we are born with the desire to be compassionate; a desire which becomes as useless as the most beautiful words never spoken, if not acted upon. I think of compassion as a muscle, which gains strength as we use it. We activate its fibers when we don’t avert our eyes and simply walk past the person holding a cardboard sign. It grows and tingles when we offer a hand, a shoulder, or our heart to someone who’s mourning. And it tears and grows stronger still, when, even at our most rock-bottom moments, we extend it to ourselves.
Compassion.
It’s a muscle.
It’s an intention.
It’s a practice.
It’s a choice.
Beyond blessed to be a small part of this.
I am over the moon to list my name among the many that have stepped forward, with heart and pen in hand, to take part in 1000 Voices of Compassion. #1000Speak is the brainchild of the fabulous Lizzi Rogers and the talented Yvonne Spence and is based on Lizzi’s post, which tells us WE are the Village. And WE are responsible for the health, heart and well-being of those sharing this big, beautiful, blue sphere of ours.
We all inhale and exhale under the same sky.
We ALL do.
With that in mind, one month from today, on February 20, we will be flooding the webwaves with messages of compassion. And you can take part. At this very moment, there are 869 members. You could be 870.
Below are some links for those bloggers who crave involvement:
The Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/306227992909657/
The Facebook Fanpage: 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion
Twitter: When tweeting, use the hashtag #1000Speak
And if you’re not a blogger, but want to spread some compassion (and hopefully, get a little on yourself), you can do so here: #1000 Speak for Compassion or email 1000Speak@gmail.com and someone will gently guide you through the process.
Whatever you do, do something.
Tear some muscle.
Don’t let it atrophy.
Be. Connected.
And be changed.
37 thoughts on “Compassion is a muscle”
My Perfect Breakdown
What a wonderful concept!! I’m excited to read your contribution.
Dani
I’m excited to write it. And hopefully it leads to a beautiful place. I can only hope… ❤
lrconsiderer
Ohhhh I do so very love your writing and your poetic way of putting things. This is a fabulous share of #1000Speak – thank you so very much for it, Dani. I’m beyond thrilled that you’re part of the project 🙂
Dani
I’m so happy you liked it, Lizzi (and you were almost first. Almost 😉 ) Thank you so much for asking me to be involved in this. It’s so good for my soul ❤
lrconsiderer
Yes…good for the soul is precisely it 😀
Danielle de Luca
Compassion is the emotion where one feels responsible for others. And this is an amazing emotion!
Dani
I agree, Dani. Wholeheartedly ❤
herheadache
I am also a blogger who is bad at math, blessed with a mother’s heart while not a mother of my own children, and I am participating in #1000Speak because I think it will be good for me and a positive thing to contribute.
🙂
I am looking forward to one month from now, but I can only imagine the exposure and how far this whole thing will have come by then, going by the results of the past week alone. I look forward to reading your contribution.
Dani
It really is amazing, isn’t it, Kerry?!?! So many people are stepping forward and saying “me too”. It’s brilliant. Truly lovely. Thank you for dropping by and sharing a bit of your heart here. It sounds like we have a few things in common. Praises for that. Blessings to you and looking forward to what you’ll share, as well, Dani
Caroline
I love this! What a great stand to take – one that this whole world needs more of – compassion!!!
Dani
Agreed ❤ Feel free to sign up, if you'd like, Caroline. I promise you…you won't be sorry. Blessings to you, Dani
Karen @ Mended Musings
Reblogged this on Mended Musings and commented:
I’ve added my voice to the movement. I hope you will too!
Karen @ Mended Musings
You did such a good job with this that I had to reblog it instead of writing my own to promote it. I can’t wait to see what people come up with! xo
Dani
Thanks for this, Karen, it was sweet of you to do so!! I can’t wait to see where #1000Speak is headed. When hearts and souls are in the mix, anything is possible, friend. Anything… ❤ ❤
TanGental
Loved you came and said hi, Dani. And in return I see you love Skittles. There is a brilliant performance poet and comic here in the UK called Richard Marsh. I saw him at the Edinburgh festival do his epic love story in poetry form called … tada – Skittles. It’s all about Skittles. And love. And being inadequate. And more Skittles. he pretty much eats a bucket during the 50 minutes he is on stage. Here’s a link to Richard’s web. If you can get hold of a copy you will love it…. https://richmarsh.wordpress.com/skittles/
Dani
Ahhhh!!!! I love that you gifted me with this. Thank you for taking the Cook’s tour here; I hope you made yourself at home. Know that I will check it out soon and report back. And thank you again for thinking of me. Blessings, Dani
TanGental
Oh and I love the spiders too!
Dani
Yay!!! Most don’t, so that means a lot 🙂
TanGental
Do you think we need to start Spiders Anonymous (‘My name is Geoff and I’ve loved spiders for 53 years…’)
Dani
Perhaps, Geoff. Perhaps. 😉
Jen @ Driftwood Gardens
This. Is. Perfect. I am REALLY looking forward to your post on February 20th.
Dani
Thanks for taking the time to visit, Jen. And your kind words?? Such a blessing. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be a part of something so rooted in soul and Truth. And 2/20?? I am thrilled to read what will be shared and am already prepared to be blown away. With heart & thanksgiving, Dani
Louise
Oooh – I love this thought – it’s very much a muscle. Great comparison. Glad I found you!
Dani
I’m so glad it resonated with you, Louise. And I’m so glad you found me, as well. Blessings to you, Dani
Jane Foard Thompson
You’ve earned the right to be a strong voice for compassion, Dani. I’m all in.
With gusto
Dani
As have you, Mrs. Jane. So happy to be sharing such a space and movement of heart with you. Much love, Dani
Claudia Schmidt
I’m also excited to be a part of the #1000Speak community, Dani. I’ve been searching my brain for what to share that auspicious day……nice to be sharing it with you and this wonderful group of compassionate women who write. xo
Dani
I honestly have no clue what I will write for That great day, Claudia, but I’m sure some compassion will be floated my way as I try to put into words what my heart feels so deeply about this movement. Thank you for dropping by and planting seeds of kindness. Both are appreciated.
With heart,
Dani
TheMomCafe.com
OH Dani, such a great insight into this word! I am so blessed to have found you and connected with you through this movement… I find it deeply ironic that we bonded in such a word. Your heart oozes it. And although I agree that compassion isn’t in our nature, I believe it is a gift that many have been given.
I believe you have that gift. ❤
Dani
This touched my heart, Christine. Thank you for taking the time to visit and for being a part of this movement. I am certain our hearts were meant to be knit by this word. I am certain.
With heart and budding friendship,
Dani
greta-anne
What an awesome reminder!
Dani
Thank you for stopping by and reading, Greta-Anne.
Blessings to you,
Dani
Lisa @ The Meaning of Me
HOW did I not read this before tonight? I agree with you on the idea that we aren’t necessarily born with compassion, that is a choice, an action to be taken, something we must develop. But at the same time, I look at small children and see it so clearly in them, so instinctual. It isn’t until we start to learn otherwise that the trouble really begins. I don’t know – I think there is argument for both.
I am so glad I saw this tonight – and so sorry I missed it earlier! It’s a beautiful thing we are all doing here and I’m glad to be part of it!
Dani
Lisa, I never thanked you properly for this comment. In truth, it was this that made me delve deeper into the science of compassion. So, thank you, sweet one. Thank you for encouraging me not to only trace what I think and believe, but to look into and then highlight what should be known.
Blessings to you,
Dani
Pingback: If We Could See Inside Others’ Hearts – #1000Speak | MamaMick
Pingback: The Science of Compassion #1000Speak | bloomingspiders
Pingback: Cruel to be Kind #1000Speak | MamaMick