We often call compersion the opposite of jealousy and forget that compersion is also an opposite of compassion. Contrasting compersion with compassion can help us to understand how compersion is also a form of behavioral empathy. Compassion creates an impulse to help suffering lessen or be comforted. Compersion creates an impulse to help joy grow and extend. When feeling compersion is difficult, remembering the corollary emotion of compassion can give us something that we can do in response, something we can put into practice. Jealousy may mostly be something we try to not act on. But when we are finding it difficult to feel compersion, we may be able to add compassion to the mix. This may bring relief and a path back to feeling more compersion. What is something you do to help yourself feel compassion?
[image description: A pair of hearts appears in two scenes. On the left one heart consoles another heart that appears to be in distress. On the right, the consoling heart is now smiling at the other heart in an expression of pleasant appreciation. The heart that was previously distressed-looking is now throwing its hands up and out in celebration. Text reads: "compersion" above and below, "The opposite of compassion. Positive emotions about your partner's total experience, not just the lessening of suffering, but also the increasing of happiness."]
#MindfulHearts retrospective.
On this day 2021.
On this day 2020.
On this day 2019.
Celebrating three years of daily cartoons.
On this day 2021.
On this day 2020.
On this day 2019.
Celebrating three years of daily cartoons.
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