Many of us would like to live in kind and compassionate communities. To that end, it is important to make sure that each of us practice kindness and compassion ourselves. Building such a culture very much depends on both individual as well as collective efforts. How can we encourage the development of compassion and kindness in our communities? Let’s take a look at some ways this can be done!

1. Initiate conversations about the suffering around us

Is someone having a hard time in your neighbourhood? Does your heart ache for the stray dog that digs through the rubbish outside your flat to find something to eat? Instead of taking cursory notice of such suffering and brushing aside your feelings, start a conversation about them. Talk about the suffering that you experience or witness with people in your communities. Lively and skilful discussions with varied perspectives help us to better empathise with the suffering and reflect on what we can do to help alleviate such suffering. Making such topics part of our everyday conversations will help normalise the act of reflecting and empathising with suffering, facilitating a more compassionate response to the pain around us.

2. Extend kindness and compassion to those around you

What goes around, comes around. When we extend kindness and compassion to those around us, it uplifts the environment and instigates kindness and compassion in response. From offering a snack to a stressed student in your neighbourhood to helping clean communal areas, kind and compassionate actions let others know they are cared for and encourage them to show goodwill in return.

3. Initiate or participate in outreach programs

Many communities and constituencies offer several outreach programs that you can participate in and if your community does not, there is no harm in initiating one! For example, a Beach Clean-Up Day can be a fun way for your community to bond while giving back to society. Not comfortable with initiating community-wide events? No worries! Small acts like offering underprivileged children free tuition can also make our communities kinder and more compassionate.

4. Celebrate kind and compassionate acts

Offering words of appreciation are in themselves an expression of kindness.  This can be as simple as a “thank you, I really appreciate your help in packing up after Church!” When we show others that we appreciate their actions, we let them know that they matter, and that we are connected as a kind community.

Next time you feel like you could do with a kinder, more compassionate environment, try practising these habits! We all have the capacity for kindness and compassion, sometimes it is just a matter of giving each other an encouraging nudge to uplift the entire community!