"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." — Buddha
"We can't be kind to each other until we are kind to ourselves." — Dan Harris.
"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive."-Dalai Lama.
"One's life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion."- Simone de Beauvoir.
Being kind to ourselves when we hurt or feel inadequate means we're loving and caring like a compassionate parent would be to a distressed child. We soothe and comfort ourselves, validate our pain, and ask, "What do I need right now?"-Kristin Neff.
A new Rutgers University study suggests that self-compassion has another counterintuitive benefit: It helps you to become more accepting of other people who are not like you. Being kind to yourself can broaden your tolerance of others—so long as yourself-compassion is rooted in "common humanity," a belief that life's joys and struggles are part of the shared human condition.
How is Self-Compassion different from Narcissism?
Compassion sees love as limitless and infinite, which multiplies when you share it. Self-compassion is seeing yourself as "another person worthy of love." Self-compassion is being kind and caring towards yourself, understanding, and cutting yourself slack when things go wrong. You're human. Don't be so hard on yourself. Self-compassion wishes good for yourself while wishing good for others.
Self-compassion gives.
Malignant Narcissism is a psychological disorder in which a person has an inflated sense of self-worth, a need for admiration, and a disregard for others. A malignant narcissist may experience paranoia, feeling threatened or persecuted without proof, and are aggressive, manipulative, and abusive without remorse.
Narcissistic personality-disordered individuals have an inflated sense of importance and the need for attention. There is a focus on power, wealth, beauty, sex, and intelligence without limit. When faced with negative feedback or indifference, people display a lack of or extreme negative emotions.
Antisocial personality disorder individuals have traits that include psychopathic and sociopathic characteristics. These individuals lack empathy, responsibility, or remorse for behaviors that disregard the needs of others. These people can be reckless, aggressive, and engage in illegal behaviors.
One of the deepest questions a person can ask is what makes life meaningful. People search for meaning in life. However, connecting with others is one of the best ways to find that meaning. That life gains value through love, friendship, and compassion speaks to the heart of being human.
Love is one of the strongest forces in a person's life. Love includes care and affection for family, friends, and strangers. When people feel loved and give love, they experience deep satisfaction. Even in difficult times, love can provide strength and hope.
Friendship is another source of meaning. True friends offer support, understanding, and companionship. Life is unpredictable, and no one can avoid hardship. Friends help each other navigate the challenges of life and celebrate the joys. A shared laugh or a simple conversation can turn an ordinary moment into something special.
Indignation is not seen as a positive emotion but is important in giving life value. Indignation is anger and feeling provoked by unfair treatment. Feeling anger or frustration in the face of injustice shows a person's deep sense of right and wrong. Indignation can lead to action, whether standing up for others, speaking out against unfairness, or working to create change. When people care about the suffering of others, they acknowledge that every life matters.
Compassion ties all these elements together. It is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. No matter how small, a compassionate act can change someone's day or life. Compassion consists of offering a kind word, being helpful, and listening to another individual.
A life lived only for oneself can feel empty, no matter how much success or comfort a person achieves. But when people value others and contribute to their well-being, life becomes meaningful. In caring for others, people find a purpose beyond their needs. Love, friendship, and compassion are the foundations of social responsibility to one another.
I am writing this essay because I am worried about what is happening with Donald Trump as President of the United States. He has poor judgment and lacks compassion for other people, whether illegal immigrants, heroic war veterans, or those who work in governmental offices.
In my personal opinion, Trump is a malignant narcissist.
Yes, Trump demonstrates all the signs of a malignant narcissist. However, there is more. His cognitive decline is evident to medical professionals and others. Even his vocabulary is regressing. He is trouble for America and the World with a capital “T”.
A good friend of mine, a clinical psychologist, states bluntly and angrily that Trump is just plain out of his mind. There is no way I can disagree.