What does it mean to be compassionate? In this week’s episode, McKay employs his trademark combination of information, experience, stories, and inspiration to explore the topic of compassion and open our eyes to the success we can enjoy as we give our heart and build this all important practice into our lives.

The episode begins with McKay’s illustrative stories of compassion and how compassion has brought families together under tragic circumstances. He discusses the effect of self-centeredness and the rewards that come with showing compassion, goes on to encourage us all to lose the transactional thinking and adopt the views of others, and to become a better listener as well. He also touts the benefits of picking up the habit of affirmation, showing empathy for others, and judging less. All of this brings to vivid life McKay’s overarching message here today - ‘you gotta have heart, and when you do, you have most everything’.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

-   Stories of compassion

-   The effects of self-centeredness

-   How does compassion open our eyes to a new way of living?

-   The benefits of compassion

-   Volunteering in orphanages in Ecuador

-   Becoming a person of compassion

-   The characteristics of a listener

-   Are you living a transactional life?

-   Cultivating the habit of affirmation

-   Why you should give empathy to others

-   The compassion of George Bush

Quotes:

“This is a call for compassion, to open your eyes, so to speak, to the life you can have as you give your heart and practice compassion. It will empower you with well-being you won't find any other way.”

“We don't slow down long enough to let our heart be impacted by the lives of those around us.”

“Compassionate people live longer and have healthier lives. Compassionate healthcare workers have less job burnout.”

“Can you see that when you give your heart to other people, you become different?”

“Something happens to your heart when you really listen.”

“In any human relationship, we are constantly offering ourselves, our selfish thoughts, our wants, our needs, on an altar of sorts. And often what you get back is something far more valuable than what you give.”

“Affirmative people are powerful people.”

“This affirming life makes for a life of depth, and love, and beauty.”

“By giving empathy, people and the world we interact with become more interesting, diverse, and dynamic. People become more than meets the eye. ”

Show Links:

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen