Self-compassion is a powerful practice. It is strong medicine for suffering, and a resilient way of relating to ourselves and to our experiences. However, developing self-compassion is a path that many of us do not anticipate. Self-compassion can sound remote or foreign—a niche behavior like parasailing or playing the bassoon. It might seem theoretically appealing, but as more of an aspiration than a true possibility. The word self-compassion can give the impression that it is a weak or soft inclination, rather than a resource of great power. The idea of self-compassion may even sound disagreeable or dangerous. Despite our assumptions about self-compassion, every person can build self-compassion and benefit from it. This exercise is a great place to get you started on your path.