The two greatest commandments from God, are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Today, let’s focus on the second one; loving our neighbors as ourselves. I love this command because it speaks to our vertical and horizontal relationship with our heavenly Father and all of God’s creation; which includes ourselves.

While loving others requires compassion, loving ourselves requires self-compassion. 

Let’s define self-compassion to gain a better understanding.

What is self- compassion?

You may or may not be very familiar with the concept of compassion; it may seem a bit little touchy-feely. Maybe even slightly wimpy. Certainly, out of place in the far too many realms of the fitness industry, where conventional wisdom is in order to see gains, improvement, or progress, pain is a requirement. However, as   #FitnessTeacherGospelPreacher compassion is right in our wheelhouse, whether we’re aware or not. 

Research from psychology and neuroscience shows that people who practice self- compassion get more done and can sustain their work better than those who don’t. So what this affirms that self-compassion goes beyond the “self.” When you have self-compassion, you can do the good work you’ve been called to better and longer.  

So, to define self-compassion, compassion researchers (yes, there is such a job) identify three sub-categories of self-compassion:

Self-kindness – the act of being kind to yourself. It means a conscious attitude of kindness — being understanding and nurturing to yourself, instead of harshly critical and judgmental. The scriptures speak to this in Ephesians 5:29 (NIV):

“After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the Church”

This tells us that we need to be more caring and nurturing to ourselves. Loving ourselves and holding ourselves accountable, just as Christ does the Church.

Here are three tips to practice self-compassion daily: 

Daily Tip #1 – Write a list or verbalize the things about yourself that make you wonderfully made in His image.

Common humanity – understand it’s not “just you” — that everyone has challenges, makes mistakes, and feels down or inadequate in some way, sometimes. When we can see ourselves part of the larger whole of God’s creation; then our experiences are personal, but not isolated.

Genesis 1:27 (NIV) states: “So, God created mankind in his own image his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

We may be on different paths and journeys, but our story began in the same place.

Daily Tip #2 – practice taking a big-picture perspective. Honor present situations, without becoming a prisoner of the moment

Mindfulness – conscious awareness of the present.

Matthew 6:34 (NIV)  says, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”

This helps us keep our hearts, mind, and spirit on the Lord.

Daily Tip #3 – practice giving gratitude for the good things in your life you’ve received by God’s grace.

Self-compassion makes you a better Fitness Teacher Gospel Preacher. 

With self-compassion you:

— have more resilience and ability to bounce back faster from setbacks

—have  better relationships, feel more secure in their interpersonal life, and get along with people more effectively

—are better at providing social support

— are better able to take risks and be open to new experiences; they aren’t afraid of “failure”

— and ultimately in the proper heart position to help others to Love God, Get Healthy, Be Whole, and Love Others

Practice self-compassion. Take a few minutes daily to be kind to yourself.

What will you do to develop self-compassion today? How does having compassion toward yourself help you have compassion for others?

Ron McDonald Jr. (Platoon 10) is a business owner as Nutrition Coach and Head Trainer at Orangetheory Fitness. He lives in Maryland (Suburbs of Wash, DC) with his wife of 20 years, their two kids (Jordan and Jahlen). He loves being a Fitness Teacher Gospel Preacher (of course), traveling, watching movies, playing basketball, and spending time with his wife.

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REV ON THE ROAD

Do you live anywhere near Grand Rapids, Michigan? If you do (or if you want to take a road trip), mark your calendar for a Rev on the Road event on September 13 & 14, 2019! Rev on the Road is a two-day wellness event where you’ll experience contagious joy and new-found freedom! This event is for every body shape and size, and every fitness level. Register today!