The webinar “Mindful self-compassion: Heart skills for our families and ourselves in challenging times” explores important strategies for finding solace after making mistakes in life. The session addresses the need for self-compassion, which is integral in establishing kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Self-Compassion is treating oneself with empathy and understanding as one would treat another person when they have made the wrong decision in life (Brazelton Touchpoints Center, 2020). This concept faults self-judgment, considering that it promotes forgiveness and rediscovery. Self-judgment is disregarded since it results in withdrawal and self-criticism, enhancing spite and fear (Brazelton Touchpoints Center, 2020). The lessons learned, establishing resilience through compassion, and educators’ roles in supporting families are addressed.
Key Points Learned
Self-compassion is being able to block people from breaking the boundary in one’s life by using the hand gesture rule of saying no. This ability enables one to filter out the things and people they allow in their lives, increasing well-being. Some aspects that enhance well-being include being in an environment of joy, self-satisfaction, emotional resilience, and intelligence (Brazelton Touchpoints Center, 2020). In addition, self-compassion decreases mental health problems such as anxiety and depression since it reduces shame, regret, guilt, and condemnation that come after a setback.
Additionally, self-compassion also initiates healing which is associated with improved physical health. Through self-forgiveness, an individual can adopt a healthy lifestyle and more satisfying relationships considering that they will be able to reciprocate compassion (Brazelton Touchpoints Center, 2020). This concept aligns with the principle of meditation since this also prescribes mindfulness to initiate emotional calmness and stability. Meditation encompasses compassion and taking time to redo what brings regrets in life.
The role of Mindful Self-compassion in Building Resilience in Families
Activities such as self-compassion help establish coping mechanisms since it steers mindful thoughts. Some mindful thinking about suffering is that it is a phase that will pass, and suffering is part of greatness (Brazelton Touchpoints Center, 2020). Families practicing mindfulness and compassion help one realize that suffering is a phase that will end someday (Brazelton Touchpoints Center, 2020). This reassurance helps a person persevere during adversity, which helps build resilience. Another important role of compassion is that it strengthens the hope for a better tomorrow, considering that family members learn adversities are part of future greatness. Therefore, these strategies can build toughness within families going through different situations in life.
How Educators can support Families
Educators act as advocates to help families deal with the adversities of life. Some of the mechanisms proposed include encouraging family unity during a crisis so that the family works as a unit to endure the process (Brazelton Touchpoints Center, 2020). Finding the right balance for everyone is integral to dealing with a crisis since it ensures that every member takes responsibility for others’ emotional status. For instance, educators should encourage families to value relations, minimize external toxins that may affect relationships, and spend time together and sometimes alone when the need arises (Brazelton Touchpoints Center, 2020). They should also encourage individual members to be entitled to some moments of peace in their lives. Therefore, anything affecting this peace should not be tolerated since it defies the concept of Mindful self-compassion.
Mindful self-compassion is an integral life skill that helps individuals focus on their feelings through Self-awareness. Some of the interventions promoted by this principle include letting go of toxic relationships, learning to forgive, and appreciating the life process. This copying mechanism also establishes a positive outlook on suffering, strengthening how people view life’s adversities. Through this concept, educators support families by encouraging principles such as the value of relations, cutting toxic ties, and choosing peace over guilt.
Reference
Brazelton Touchpoints Center (2020). Mindful self-compassion: Heart skills for our families and ourselves in challenging times (Video). YouTube. Web.