Wellbeing - where is the compassion?

Wellbeing is a key topic at the moment - in June we looked at wellbeing as a practice (I describe the term well-doing in the blog here) , and the idea of wellbeing and compassion is emerging as a subject for exploration for July.

Because when do we see compassion as part of wellbeing? I've done a fair amount of research on wellbeing over the years and I see NO models that encompass compassion as a foundational aspect of self nurture and self development within these models - and I believe it's time to change the format.

What do you think?!

We generally have an uncomfortable relationship with self compassion - and with ourselves. We are socially formed not to take care of ourselves. But how can we improve our wellbeing without it? We want to grow, we strive to develop our habits and our behaviours, we wish to flourish at work - yet a true journey must take the inner work too - the introspection and acknowledging the less desirable parts of our beings as a whole picture - a whole self.

I'm currently taking part in an 8 week compassion programme with a wonderful and wise Buddhist nun leading our cohort. The evidence-based programme originates from Stanford Centre for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education by a team of contemplative scholars, clinical psychologists, and researchers. She says 'Cultivating compassion involves training our own minds, developing specific skills in how we relate to ourselves and others, and intentionally choosing compassionate thoughts and actions.'

For me the clue is in the word 'cultivate' - and as so much of our pathways to progress, cultivating something good all starts with awareness.

So here's a thought experiment for you this week - what in your life will you seek to bring awareness to that is stopping you from progressing?

Allow yourself to feel the discomfort and let the self sabotage demons show themselves!

And then ask - how do you wish to cultivate a better way, better belief or better way of being?

Wellbeing plays a large part of personal leadership coaching and the practice of 'becoming your best self' in order to step into professional excellence. Both the group programme I run - RESET  - and my 121 coaching contain wellbeing, self care and compassion as key elements - because they are vitally important and they are proving to be immensly valuable for growth. 

To find out more about your own journey connect here: https://kateb.co.uk/appointments

#growth

#compassion

#wellbeing

PS: I am now enrolling a handful of 121 clients to start in September - get in touch quickly to grab a place.