How Do You Show Compassion?

Welcome to #WithLoveFridays! I’m co-hosting this linkup with 4 other awesome ladies:Ā Kristie, Lisa, Krystal & Georgina! If you’ve got a post that has anything to do with love (family, friends, significant others, spouses, pets, fandoms…), feel free to come link up with us on Fridays for this/next week!!

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Today, I’d like to talk about kindness and compassion. In an attempt to combat all the negativity and hatred out there, I’m teaming up today with over 1000 bloggers in the blogsphere for #1000Speak, to write a post about compassion, kindness, non-judgement, and helping others. We want to flood the world with some good, inspiration, and happiness. <3

How do you show compassion in your life?

kindness

I am happiest when I’m helping others, making others happy, and when I feel like I’m making a positive difference in someone’s life.

It doesn’t matter how small the gesture may be–a greeting, a compliment, a simple smile–your actions and decisions pave the road you walk on, and how you treat others can often determine what kind of road it will be. While I have been extraordinarily blessed with the amazing people in my life, I think a large proponent to that also has to do with this very simple philosophy:

Treat others how you would want to be treated.

I honestly think the world would be a much better place if everyone were to adopt this philosophy, but until then, I’ll just keep working at it. One of my favorite quotes as of late has been: “Always be kinder than you feel,” so I try to take it to heart, and even when I’m having a horrible day, if I can brighten someone else’s, it usually cheers me up. :]

I have a number of different causes and organizations that I try to support whenever + however possible, so that’s what I’ll be discussing today!

Paul Hom Asian Clinic (PHAC)

Back in the spring of 2008, I started volunteering here as a medical interpreter & patient advocate. Paul Hom Asian Clinic is the oldest existing Asian clinic in the United States, and is completely staffed by volunteers, from the undergraduate interns to the medical students and attending physicians. It provides free medical services for medically underserved Asian-Americans, and works with pharmaceutical companies so that our patients can obtain medications for free (or at a heavily discounted price).

To say that I loved the time I spent volunteering there would be an understatement. Even after I graduated, I’d sneak back whenever I had a free weekend to volunteer there. (The sneaking was because my parents didn’t want me driving ~200 miles just to volunteer. I slept in my car a couple times because the friends who usually housed me were all out of town.)

While I was there, I’d interpret for the patients during medical interviews, take vitals, do blood pressure screenings through the Sacramento community, and assist with county referrals, labs, and calls. Each year, we put on a health fair to educate the patients on different health topics, provide vaccines, bone density scans, and health screenings.

PHAC is one of the biggest reasons as to why I chose to go into medicine, and my hope is that I’ll someday be able to go back there to volunteer as a physician.

Please Save A Cat / Friends For Life

I’ve talked at length about how much I adore Please Save A Cat, from my blog to imgur. Please Save A Cat is a no-kill cat sanctuary that provides food, water, shelter, and lots of love to 4 colonies of over 80 cats. It’s run by one of my closest friends out here, and she also takes care of pets of deployed military personnel for free. I started volunteering here back in April of 2013, and throughout the time that I’ve been here, Linda has basically become my second mom. She is one of the kindest people I will ever know, and I go back to visit whenever I have a chance (which works out to about once a month, when I’m in between rotations, because it takes about 6 hours roundtrip).

If you don’t already support a charity on AmazonSmile, please consider choosing Please Save A Cat (Maxwelton, WV) as the charity to benefit when shopping on Amazon! <3

Friends For Life is a no-kill dog sanctuary. Donna is actually the one responsible for introducing me to Linda–they help each other out a lot, and I’m really glad that I met them both. I try to go to FFL whenever the weather isn’t being too terrible, so I can take the dogs out for walks/runs and give them lots of love and attention. <3

Once upon a time (high school-ish), I wanted to be a vet, but realized that I really didn’t want to have to euthanize animals, so I decided that if I took care of people instead (especially after my experiences volunteering at PHAC), it’d work out a lot better. My compromise for giving up becoming a vet was to open up a no-kill shelter someday, or to help fund one. This is what I do in-between since I currently have no money to donate or fund them. :] (I can’t volunteer at a regular animal shelter because I’d likely bring them all home with me.)

Cards For Hospitalized Kids

This is my newest ongoing project! It started back in first year of med school; my friend found Cards For Hospitalized Kids, an organization that sends cards (general and holiday-themed) to kids in children’s hospitals throughout the country, so we set to work on em’. The only real rule is to not write things like, “get well soon,” because a number of the kids have terminal illnesses. :[ So I’ve been focusing on positivity + encouragement with these cards. They’re really fun to make, and if it can potentially make someone happier, why not? :]

Making cards is actually pretty therapeutic, so I made about 16-17 after my last shelf exam (12 of em’ are pictured below!), and once I get a hold of my sticker collection (which is, sadly, back in CA), I’m going to town on these. We’re planning to do this each month (aka after every shelf exam) so we can send them over in batches! :]

Cards 4 Hospitalized Kids c4hkids1 c4hkids2

  • How do you show compassion?
  • What causes do you believe in?
  • How do you spread kindness?

Kristie's Blue Jeans

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36 comments

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  1. Recently when my father went in for his last of his radiation treatments for a while on Friday, February 13th, they were handing out cards made by children from a local middle school. It brightened his day. And mine. :) And you know how much I LOVE your Please Save a Cat organization you volunteer for! Keep those kitty pictures coming on instagram, I never get tired of them. I, too, feel at my best with giving to others. They say if you’re ever feeling down or depressed, try doing something for someone else.
    Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating recently posted…Favorite Wedding Planning WebsitesMy Profile

    1. Aww, that’s really sweet! :] I just realized I haven’t posted very many kitty pictures lately, hahaha. I will get to em’!

      I feel like that’s the best cure when I’m feeling down! :]

  2. Can I just say what a big inspiration you are? Seriously all your volunteering work is amazing! I agree that the world would be a better place if we treated others like we would like to be treated, that comes to the point of equality and respect. Those cards are just so cute and I am sure those kids felt loved and cherished by your sweet comments. <3 My way to show compassion is to always do good, try to make someone happy each day even it is just opening a door for them or giving them a compliment. :)
    Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness recently posted…With Push-Ups, Are We Really Pushing Up?My Profile

    1. Aww, thank you so much! Your comment brightened my day! <3!!

      I love the way you show compassion! :] I try to do that every day too--baby steps to making the world a better place! :]!

  3. I love this movement, Farrah! We’re all taught the golden rule as kids to treat others the way we’d like to be treated, so how does that fall to the wayside as people become adults?! I love that statement “Be kinder than you feel”…I’m going to start remembering that on a daily basis! I try to show compassion for others by being considerate of others and I always like to give strangers compliments (that’s usually to other women…giving random compliments to strange men can give them the completely WRONG idea, lol!). Great post & great movement!
    Vicky recently posted…PopSugarā€™s Must Have Box {February 2015}My Profile

    1. Very much agreed! I wonder how/why it got lost as the years went by! And yep! I love that quote (yay for pinterest! I think that’s where I found it.)!

      haha, I’m definitely with you there! :P I like giving people compliments too! :] It’s such a simple gesture, but can make such a huge difference in someone’s day! :]

  4. this is Awesome, Farrah! i love your quote ” be kinder then you Feel” im going start having to use that !and i love the giving random compliments !
    Jazmine Tates recently posted…Thankful ThursdayMy Profile

    1. Thank you! It’s definitely one of my favorites!

      Hope you have a great weekend!

    • Ricardo on February 20, 2015 at 9:04 am
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    I like the Nintendo theme you got going on with your cards. Before I got this job, the volunteering I did was another part of me doing something positive with my life since it was mostly negative at the time. While I do miss it sometimes (mostly the food we cooked) I feel better that at least for a year I made a difference in a community. Today, I’m just hoping my experiences are helping the individuals that come to my office.

    1. Yayuh! They’re easier to draw freehand than most other things, and I figured they’d be popular with the kids! :] From what I’ve heard from you, I think you’re making a really big difference in the lives of the people that come to your office!

  5. I love everything about this post! I completely agree that if people treated others like they want to be treated, this would would be a kinder, happier place! I love all the ways that you bring love and compassion to others. I just visited the cards for kids site and am going to look into doing this, I really, really love this idea, thank you for sharing!
    Sara @ lifebetweenthemiles recently posted…An early morning dose of perspectiveMy Profile

    1. Thank you! :D I’m so glad to hear that! It’s a lot of fun, and I love that it benefits such a great cause! <3

  6. This is a perfect post for me right now. I want to work more on supporting charities and thanks to your post I just signed up for Amazon smile! I love the card idea!! I would love to make some cards with my daughter!
    Christine {dreamBIGrunner} recently posted…The Future of my BlogMy Profile

    1. Yay! So glad to hear that! This would definitely a fun project to work on with your daughter! <3!

  7. This post is awesome, lady! I love your quote, “act kinder than you feel”. I’m going to practice that more often! Honestly, after graduating from college I stopped volunteering, and I feel bad saying that. I used to teach chair aerobics at a retirement home; it was a lot of fun :)
    Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Recipe of the week: Thai coconut chicken soupMy Profile

    1. Thank you! <3 It's kinda understandable--in college, there are just so many more opportunities to volunteer, and once you leave, it can be kinda hard to find something you really resonate with! I had to dig for a bit before I found the no-kill shelters! <3

      That's awesome that you used to teach chair aerobics! :D! I bet they loved it there!

  8. I love the idea of making cards for children in the hospital! I’m going to look into that. There are so many ways to bring a smile to someone’s face letting them forget about their pain & struggle even if only for a minute or two. I hope your having a great Friday!
    Leslie recently posted…Retro Repin Party #30My Profile

    1. Yay! :D Glad to hear that!

      Agreed! I rarely know what kind of battle someone else might be fighting, so I try to be understanding/kind whenever possible! :]

    • Ash on February 21, 2015 at 3:53 am
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    Cards for hospitalized kids is really thoughtful ! And I am a big cat / dog lover and really happy for places like this !
    Ash recently posted…Compassion ā€“ Where art thou ?My Profile

    1. Same here! They put my heart at ease! <3

  9. love the cards, I love it when a community comes together to show compassion the most. In our city a little girl was dying of brain cancer she did die on Christmas eve but before and after the community held 2 rallies in her honor. Was amazing
    Christine Gallagher recently posted…DIY Onesie and Big Brother ShirtMy Profile

    1. Agreed! Tragedies are heartbreaking, but I really love seeing communities pulling together for them–that’s so wonderful of your community! <3

  10. I’m working on a post at the moment talking about kindness and sincerity. I wish I was done with it so I could add it to the discussion. I’m really glad there are bloggers like you that are supportive and try to promote kindness!
    Channing recently posted…Anxiety: The Pink Elephant In The RoomMy Profile

    1. Aww, thank you! <3 I'm not sure how far along you are on your post, but the linkup closes in 19 hours, so you might(?) still have time to get it in! :]!

  11. These are AMAZING causes, good for you! It’s great when you can find a way to give back that you actually enjoy, double win! I first got into volunteering for selfish reasons, and I met nice people and we had fun. Now I’m just so happy to be on the GIVING end of help, that I feel like I have so much I need to give back to the world. And I’m with you, it makes me feel great to help people. This is such a great movement, these positive compassion posts are such a welcome break from all the bad news out there sometimes :)
    Nice to “meet” you!
    Joy Christi recently posted…For Your Consideration – #1000SpeakMy Profile

    1. I’ve definitely loved the people that I’ve met through volunteering–they’re a huge part of why I keep going back! :]!

      I love this movement as well! It’s been awesome getting to see so many positive posts, and hooray for being on the giving end! <3

  12. I loved reading this! You’re such a giving person! I had planned to write a post for this, but I got a little thrown off by the birth of my nanny family’s new baby (she came a few days early). I will say meeting her had shown me a whole new side of love. She’s not even my own child but as soon as I met her I loved her and I’ve never felt that way about a baby that was not my own.

    1. Aww, thank you! :] That’s definitely a good reason to get thrown off though! <3 Congratulations to their family, and so awesome that you got to meet her early!

  13. I loved this post. Compassion is so important and something that is lacking in our world.
    Ivanna recently posted…Saturday OatmealMy Profile

    1. Thank you, and I definitely agree! I hope it’ll be something the world focuses on more in the years to come!

  14. That’s really cool that you spend time making cards for kids that are in the hospital. I’m sure they really enjoy receiving those!

    I’m with you, I totally agree that the world would be a better place if everyone treated each other they way they wanted to be treated, but unfortunately, most people don’t seem to agree with that which is too bad. At least we’re on the right path! :)
    Tricia @ A Couple of Dashes recently posted…5 Races On My Bucket ListMy Profile

    1. It’s a really fun project! :D I’m really glad that I got to get back into it again!

      Agreed! Hopefully it’ll be possible to at least steer the people around us in that direction too! ;P

  15. All such worthy and wonderful causes! So wonderful that you are taking time out of your busy schedule (medical school – yikes) to volunteer! I used to volunteer in a Christian Cancer Care Support Group for several years…. then the group disbanded and I needed a “breather” after I loss my parents back to back 7 months apart. So it was just a down time for a few years…. getting back into life now and this is prompting me to do more for others! Blessings to you!
    Clare Speer recently posted…Coffee With ClareMy Profile

    1. I’m so sorry for your loss! :[ That’s completely understandable. I hope things are getting better little by little! <3

  16. This is fantastic!! Be kinder than you feel! Love this inspiration :)
    Rachel @ RachelMcMichael.com recently posted…Why You Need Pinterest For Your BusinessMy Profile

    1. Thanks, Rachel! :] It’s one of my favorite quotes!

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