I’ve been thinking a lot about the last year and how difficult it has been for many people, including myself, through the challenges of the pandemic. I do not need to mention them here because many of you have experienced them and I’ve discussed them in previous articles.
As we were drawing close to the end of 2021, I gave a lot of thought to 2022 and what my focus should be in this new year. The thing is that we have little control over what happens in our external world but we do have control over our own attitude and how we respond to what happens around us. This is why I choose to focus on compassion in 2022.
Compassion is one of the most important qualities we can cultivate in a world that seems to have gone insane and is getting more uncertain day by day. There is no shortage of fear, sadness, anger and regret but there is a shortage of compassion. There are many ways to cultivate compassion in the world and it could be as simple as smiling at a stranger or giving someone, who needs it, some kind words and encouragement.
In a world, where there is so much pain and suffering, you do not have to look very far to find ways to express compassion. This is going to be my practice in 2022. I know it is often difficult, especially in healthcare, which is ridden with overwhelm, burnout and compassion fatigue, but I cannot let this deter me. If there is one resource that our world lacks, it is love and compassion.
We all have it within is because our true nature is unconditional love and if more people would express their love and compassion to those who need it most, this world would be a much different place than it is today. This is why I choose to focus on compassion in 2022.
My question to you is what do you choose to focus on this year that can move the needle forward on improving the quality of your life and the lives of others? Think, ponder and journal on this and, once you decide what you want to focus on, pour all your energy into it and do not let anything deter you from your path. Take time everyday and devote it to your focus, even if it is just a few minutes everyday. Do this and you will not only elevate your life but the lives of those around you.
This is how we change the world and it all begins with you so do not waste another day without choosing your focus and acting on it.
Dr. Nauman Naeem