Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.

• Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.uk
• Steven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk

In a Hard World, Your Softest Skills Are Your Strongest Asset

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." – Randy Pausch

In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, it's easy to feel like we're holding a losing hand. We're constantly handed challenges we didn't ask for, from personal struggles to global uncertainties. But what if our greatest strength isn't in getting new cards, but in learning how to play the ones we already have?

In this episode, I explore the profound power of our 'soft skills' – the very human qualities that are often overlooked but are more crucial now than ever. We'll discuss how empathy, patience, kindness, and self-awareness are not weaknesses, but incredible assets that allow us to navigate life's toughest moments with grace and strength.

Join me as we reframe our perspective, learning to see the immense value in our innate human goodness and discovering how to use these skills to not only survive the storms but to find stillness within them.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to shift your focus from the cards you're dealt to how you choose to play them.
• Why soft skills like empathy and kindness are essential tools for resilience.
• How to recognise and cultivate your own inner strengths, even when you feel powerless.
• A new perspective on navigating a world that seems to reward harshness over compassion.

Thank you for being here and for being part of the Stillness in the Storms community. Your presence makes a difference.

Resources & Connecting:

• Weekly Calm Newsletter & Blog: For more reflections, guided meditations, and updates, visit my website and sign up for my newsletter.
• Visit: stevenwebb.co.uk
• Leave a Review: If this episode resonated with you, please consider leaving a review on your favourite podcast platform. It truly helps others find the show.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.

• Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.uk
• Steven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk

Have you ever felt adrift, wishing you had a wise and unconditionally loving guide to help you navigate life's storms? What if that guide was already inside you, waiting to be discovered?

In this episode of Stillness in the Storms, Steven explores the transformative concept of "self-parenting," inspired by the work of Gabor Maté. This isn't about harsh discipline or re-living your childhood; it’s about learning to trade your harsh inner critic for a compassionate, wise, and loving inner parent.

Discover how to identify the areas in your life—from procrastination and setting boundaries to health and self-talk—where this gentle inner guidance can bring more peace, accountability, and profound kindness. This episode is your invitation to cultivate the most supportive and empowering relationship you will ever have: the one with yourself.

• What it truly means to "parent yourself" and why it's a powerful tool for personal growth and mental wellness.
• How to recognize the everyday moments where a kind, internal parent can help you make better choices (like getting out the door on time!).
• The crucial difference between self-criticism, which stifles growth, and self-acceptance, which creates the space for positive change.
• Practical areas where you can apply self-parenting today: managing your time, making healthier choices, and balancing work, life, and play.
• The most important role of your inner parent: offering yourself the unconditional love and reassurance you deserve, especially when you're struggling.

• Support the Podcast & Find More from Steven: Discover courses, meditations, and ways to support the show at https://stevenwebb.uk.
• Companion Meditations: Listen to guided meditations that accompany the podcast episodes on the Inner Peace Meditations podcast.
• Upcoming Course: Stay tuned for Steven's new 7-day audio course, "How to Find Peace in Busy Times."

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.

• Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.uk
• Steven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk

Compassion is at the heart of our discussion today, so let’s dive right into it. We explore how compassion serves as a cosmic wink that connects us all, as Alan Watts puts it. This episode unpacks the differences between compassion, empathy, and judgment, and how understanding these can help us navigate our lives better. We’re all just players in this game called life, and recognizing each other’s struggles is key to becoming whole. Join me, Steven Webb, as we unravel what it really means to practice compassion in our daily interactions and why it matters more than ever.

Compassion is a fascinating topic, and in this episode, I dive deep into what it really means. I start by reflecting on Alan Watts' idea that compassion is like a cosmic wink, a warm acknowledgment that we see each other as fellow players in this game of life. I also explore the thoughts of Ken Wilber, who suggests that true judgment comes from a place of compassion. This leads me to ponder the differences between judgment, empathy, and compassion. Judgment often comes with a personal lens, where we see the world through our own experiences, and this can lead to negative assessments of others. Empathy, on the other hand, lets us feel what others feel, but it can sometimes become self-centered, drawing us away from the person in need. Compassion, however, is about genuinely being present for someone without the need to turn the spotlight back onto ourselves. It's about opening our hearts and really seeing others for who they are, not just for their struggles but as whole beings. Throughout this episode, I share personal stories and insights that highlight the importance of compassion in our lives, especially during tough times. I encourage listeners to practice small acts of kindness and to approach each interaction with an open heart, allowing us to become whole together.

Takeaways:

• Compassion is recognized as the cosmic wink acknowledging our shared human experience. It connects us all.
• Empathy and judgment differ significantly, where empathy often centers around our own feelings and experiences.
• True compassion requires us to open our hearts to others rather than projecting our own experiences onto them.
• To foster compassion, we need to embrace both our weaknesses and strengths, allowing us to become whole.
• Compassion is action-oriented, encouraging us to care for others without turning the focus back to ourselves.
• Practicing small acts of kindness daily can help cultivate a more compassionate mindset in our lives.