Empathy, Compassion and Kindness
What’s it about?:Empathy, Compassion and Kindness
Have you ever noticed…
That if you smile at a baby, the baby will smile back at you.
That’s because…
Just like you and I, babies have millions of mirror neurones in their brains – nerve cells specifically designed to “mirror” the behaviour and feelings of others.
And what’s more….
These mirror neurones are the foundation of Empathy. They allow you to “feel” what another person is feeling.
That’s why…
You might cry when watching a sad film
…or feel anxious watching a horror movie
…or feel happy watching a funny film.
Empathy, made possible by your mirror neurones, is the starting point for you to live a more fulfilled life.
You see…
Empathy can lead to compassion.
And compassion can lead to acts of kindness.
And acts of kindness benefit you in multiple ways.
So here’s what happens in the steps from empathy to increasing your own levels of happiness.
1. You consciously pay attention to others and allow your mirror neurones to “feel what they feel.”
2. You generate compassionate thoughts and want to help the other person.
3. You translate those thoughts into actions and you carry out an act of kindness to help the other person.
4. That act of kindness has numerous “side effects” producing a number of feel good chemicals and emotions inside you.
And what exactly are these side effects of kindness?
In sum kindness increases the levels of serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin in your body – all of them producing positive feelings.
In addition kindness suppresses cortisol and adrenaline release – reducing levels of stress and anxiety.
So, next time you see a baby smile when someone smiles at him or her, remember that those mirror neurones are just the staring point for something greater.
And you always have the potential to:
Allow more empathy into your life.
Make space for more compassion.
Make time to let that compassion feed more acts of kindness.
And reap the benefits of your kindness.
Now if that’s not a win-win, I don’t know what is!
I’m off to show more empathy, compassion and kindness to others and receive the inevitable benefits.
How about you?
To your fulfilment.
Steve
Click here for more about my Award Winning Limbic Performance System Online Programme:
http://stevenealeinternational.com/kajabi/
Version 3.0 is out soon!
Steve Neale
“Creator of the Limbic Performance System for Outstanding Leadership”
Psychologist, Executive Coach, EI Practitioner, Award Winning Trainer, International Author, Psychodynamic Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Mindfulness Instructor, International Speaker, Creator of the LPS, Creator of the Accredited Masters in High Performance Leadership.
