Empathy

If this pandemic has taught us anything it’s to be more empathetic to our neighbor, but sadly there will always be those people who don’t understand the meaning of this word. Have we lost our way? Perhaps it’s how they were raised, or maybe their own world hasn’t gone as planned, but we all could stand to show more empathy towards people who really need it.

Empathy is; “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.”

Being able to understand what someone else might be going through is often difficult for a person, especially if they’re dealing with their own problems. That’s when it’s important for you to just listen, and be there for them. Then eventually you can talk to them about what you’re going through. Even you simply saying that I understand could make a difference in that person’s life. A little kindness goes a long way.

Admittedly some people just don’t have it in them to show empathy to others even if they’re going through something similar to what you are. It’s very likely because of how they were brought up, especially the masculine be a man attitude, don’t cry, don’t show emotion to anyone. Surprisingly some women are like this, and it’s probably because their mom didn’t show emotion to them while they were growing up. It’s possible for you to break this cycle, and be a better person than what your parents were. If you’re a parent think about your children, and what kind of a person you want them to be.

Because of the pandemic I think that this has taught many of us to be more empathetic to others. Life has a tendency to do that, especially when it’s something as serious as you could die from this, or someone you love might possibly die from this deadly virus. We’re seeing a lot more people paying it forward, or simply just giving because they can afford to do this.

The world would certainly be a much better place if we could learn to show just a little more empathy towards others. We can accomplish so much more when we work together instead of being divisive towards one another. Empathy is certainly something that everyone could use at some point in their lives, and if you haven’t felt that you needed this then I’d say, aren’t you the lucky one, because the majority of us wish that we were you.

Start out by smiling, and just saying hello to someone. Then maybe complement what they’re wearing. If you see someone is struggling even if it’s because their child is upset about something ask if there’s anything that you could do to help. I watched a lady buy a little girl a balloon. The mom was smiling more than the little girl was. Maybe pay it forward by offering to pay for something for the person who is in the line behind you. You don’t have to tell them just tell the cashier, and hand her some money so that you can do this. Maybe ask her to tell them that you want them to pay it forward if they can afford to do this. If you feel like you can afford to do more maybe donate to your local shelter.

If you have ever struggled you understand how much this means to you to be able to get help when you need it. It’s very likely that you’re not ever going to find out what sort of impact you had on the person who you helped, but you will know that by being empathetic this has helped to make your day a much better one too.