I have spent may years in a self-imposed internal anxious rant about all the things I should be doing. Work harder, concentrate, eat better, be neater, be better with my budget, contact friends more... on and on and on...

But recently I've managed to simplify. I've decided that if I achieve nothing else for the rest of my life, that I'll be happy if I've lived mindfully and with compassion. I try to notice the internal rant every day ('should this, should that') and just replace it with the words 'mindfulness' and 'compassion' and try to act accordingly. I now notice (sometimes) the states of mind arising that are the antitheses of these things - a cluttered, anxious mind means that I am not in the present moment. A hard, selfish or judgemental thought means that I am not being compassionate. I try to catch myself doing these things and turn them around. Or actively try to then do something very consciously, or with kindness.

Sorry it's late, and I fear I haven't expressed myself very well but I hope you get my meaning. Just by noticing that you'd like to build on your compassion, you're well on your way!

Great thread.