4 Ways To Find Inspiration in Compassion
Isabella has tagged me to write about compassion. This is the theme of a group writing project organised by Urban Monk, The Middle Way and Zen-Inspired Self Development.
Interestingly, this reminds me of a previous post where I mentioned the results of a personality test. Compassion would be my strongest conviction, according to the report I got after answering all questions. I find it curious that I’m incidentally writing about this topic again.
Were this a personal, self-improvement or spiritual blog, I’d write a long article about compassion. Perhaps I’d already have written it by now, because this time of the year favours such topics. But due to Abaminds’ nature, I’m afraid that article would look too off-topic here.
This doesn’t mean that compassion-related subjects cannot be discussed in other niches. See, for instance, Tad’s post urging bloggers to treat their visitors like human beings, not numbers. Or Chris Garret’s recent article about respect (or lack thereof) in the blogosphere. And let’s not forget Isabella’s (successful) attempt to stablish connections between social media and compassion.
That being said, let me suggest some exercises that will help you use compassion as a source of content ideas:
1. Just like I did above, try to find relations between compassion and content produced in your niche. Use your own site’s content as an example if applicable. Then write about your discoveries and/or link to the sources.
2. Look up the word “compassion” on various dictionaries. Analyse the differences among the several descriptions. Do they seem to truly convey the word’s meaning? Or do they lack sensitivity? Would you be able to write a better definition for the term? These questions may be of special interest to those who play in niches like education, linguistics, philosophy and self-improvement.
3. If you can draw or paint, how would you portrait compassion? Try to illustrate it in such a way that most people looking at the finished image can quickly realise what it is about. Then show the image to as many people as possible, ask them what it conveys, take notes on their answers and report the result. How successful have you been in depicting compassion?
4. Save the suggestions above and only follow them some months from now. Or try them during the holiday season and repeat everything some months later. Do the time of the year influence your level of interest in compassion and/or the results you get when trying to create content about it?
Bonus tip: if you write a blog post about compassion before January 5th, 2008, don’t forget to submit it to Spread the Love NOW! Group Writing Project.
Merry Christmas! 
Posted on December 25th, 2007 by Karen Zara
Filed under: Ideas and Inspiration
Thank you so much for this unique contribution to the GWP. I really appreciate it!
Cheers,
Albert | UrbanMonk.Net
Modern personal development, entwined with ancient spirituality.
[...] Karen Zara at Abaminds. [...]
thanks for participating. karen, i just LOVE how your brain works!
Thanks for your 4 suggestions for how to find inspiration in Compassion. I have my own article to write and post on this topic. If everyone would take your ideas and all of the others that are being presented in this series of articles inspired by the Three Monks, the world would definitely be a much better place to live in. Hopefully, those who read our articles will remember and be more compassionate in their own lives.
@ Albert: I’m glad you like it.
Thank you very much for your visit and for leaving a comment.
@ Isabella: You’re welcome. And my brain asked me to tell you that he loved your comment.
@ Patricia: Welcome to Abaminds! Thank you very much for leaving your first comment here. I’m looking forward to reading your post (I’ve just visited your blog and noticed that you haven’t updated yet). I hope the articles submitted to this GWP will inspire our readers in a very positive way.
Abaminds, you will find my article called Compassion, The Ultimate Act Of Love posted at http://patriciasingleton.blogs.....-love.html
Hi Karen - very nice post indeed. The world can use more compassion!
Kind regards, and all the best for 2008.
Mark
[...] Expression. Robin at Reflections on Compassion, posted at Yogini Myspace Blog. Karen Zara at Abaminds. Jenny Mannion at Heal Pain Naturally. Evan Hadkins at WellBeingAndHealth.Net. Shawn Williamson at [...]
[...] Expression. Robin at Reflections on Compassion, posted at Yogini Myspace Blog. Karen Zara at Abaminds. Jenny Mannion at Heal Pain Naturally. Evan Hadkins at WellBeingAndHealth.Net. Shawn Williamson at [...]
Hi Karen,
I love your point about determining compassion by the differences in the dictionary. It’s a method I have used before, looking at various translations of the word from Karuna. It’s a very interesting and insightful exercise. Great to see this included with your other thoughtful points.
Peace,
Wade
http://themiddleway.net
[...] Karen Zara at Abaminds. [...]
[...] Abaminds » 4 Ways To Find Inspiration in Compassion Compassion again! This time not only in politics. Like with the Hobo SEO UK list this one is not strictly year of end but it’s a list published at the of 2007. It list only 3 posts about compassion in blogging and mine is one of those. Also it lists 4 ways to “practice” compassion while blogging. Author is my buddy Karen so I might be a little biased on this one. Nonetheless I think it’s a must read. [...]
[...] Karen Zara at Abaminds. [...]
[...] Karen Zara at Abaminds. [...]
[...] karen zara at abaminds. [...]