Giving and Receiving

WORD FOR THE DAY 2/24/25

A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day.

A string of such moments can change the course of your life.

-Christopher K. Germer-

WORD FOR THE DAY 2/26/25

Every time you express gratitude or compassion for any aspect of yourself or someone else, you breathe life in.

-Mariah Fenton Gladis-

Moments changing entire days. Breathing life in. This is heady stuff. And it is profoundly simple too. Stringing moments together. Adding on links of grateful pauses. A chain of strength and resilience is created, keeping us tethered to reality, to hope, to the good in the world.

When someone is feeling inner pain, it can often “come out sideways” in harsh words to another, or missing chances to be helpful in situations. Being into self, including various levels of self-hatred, closes us off from the world around us, and the opportunities that abound.

So a moment of self-compassion is so much more than a moment. It is a building block.

For me, a moment of self-compassion can be as simple as allowing myself to step out of my routine. I can get rather rigid with the things I think I should be doing in a day. Though they are healthy for me, it doesn’t mean that I need to do them every day, or in the order and schedule that I have given myself. Stop flaying yourself with expectations Lisa.

Shaking up a routine. Taking a couple of things off today’s to-do list. Sitting for a few extra moments. These are all acts of self-compassion. Our emotional and spiritual energy can breathe a little sigh and open themselves up more. That is when insights, emotions, and awe find their way through.

If I am pushing myself too much, the joy goes out of what I am doing. If I am allowing myself time to do less, the joy has space. And my breathing has more room too. Breathing space is something we rarely think about in the course of our days, yet it is the anchor of life itself. It is where presence exists. Tuning in a few times a day is self-compassion in simple form.

Consider this photo of ice breaking on the Mississippi River. My husband Darcy and I took a walk along the river yesterday, on a warm February afternoon. We talked about our work days and weekend plans. I am grateful for Darcy, our time together, the fresh air, the mighty river and beautiful views it offers.

The ice is giving way naturally as it receives the warmer air and changing currents. The ice doesn’t overthink and overdo, it just goes with the flow. Giving and receiving. In what ways can we each open up to giving and receiving compassion, from ourselves and each other, today? It starts right here, right now, right where we are. No grand plans needed. Keep it simple. Onward!