Planting a seed is a wonderful thing.
It's pretty much like starting college, getting a new job, opening a business, raising a child, cultivating a relationship, acquiring new knowledge, or getting deeper in spiritual awareness. They all take precious time, must be specially nurtured, and suffer when there is a lack of attention.
A spirit of compassion is preeminent in ushering in the best possible results in either case. At times, I am sure we have made a mistake or two, or three, (thousand). Our creator could have acted without compassion during those times we forgot ours.
Were you at a lost for words when the window clerk got your order wrong at the chicken eatery? Did you not want to ram your car past the line of traffic in anger when you were pressed for time on the way to work? Oops, I forgot, you forgot to remember your compassion during those times.
What about when the little person wanted to wash your car windows, or pump your gas? You could have expressed how important it is to get an education, pointing out the amount of money earned may depend on the amount of education obtained in their time of employment. You could have given them a dollar to promise they will pursue a good education. Instead, you told them you did not have time. The funny part is, when you reached your destination, you were early.
Anything you do repeatedly becomes a habit.
Why not use those trying times to practice compassion.
Just as a doctor practices, a habit of healing may grow on you.