Empathy

Link to ENGLISH Video: https://youtu.be/K7RLIhIi04o

Link to HINDI Video: https://youtu.be/ewr9mi8jxik ??

Story: Parents, Son and Dinner (Source: Internet)

Once a young guy entered the restaurant with his aging parents. While eating the food, the parents (being old) were repeatedly throwing the food on their clothes. The son was patiently cleaning it every time. In the last, that guy took his parents to the washroom for cleaning their faces and clothes so that they are in good enough condition to move out.

As they were going out of the restaurant, another old man stopped the young man and said that “don’t you think, you are leaving something back?” The boy was astonished and asked, ‘what I am leaving back? I think I am taking everything back?” The old man said, “To all the youngsters in this restaurant, you are leaving back the hope of caring for their parents when they get old. Something that parents did when they were a child.”

Moral of the Story: Empathy?is the power to stop and listen. Human beings are social creatures. We need interaction and communication. We need to be heard and understood. To find someone who can share your emotions is one of the most gratifying feelings. It’s not necessary to always have a solution to their problems. It’s about being available and hearing what they’re saying instead of shrugging it off as just another rant

What is Empathy?

Empathy is more a sense that we can truly understand, relate to, or imagine the depth of another person’s emotional state or situation.

It implies feeling with a person, rather than feeling sorry/happy for a person.

Imagine that you have a friend in the USA who’s living alone and is suffering from COVID and is feeling the pressure because of an uncertain future. How do you feel in this situation about your close friend’s pain, angst, and suppressed emotions? You’re able to put yourself in their shoes and picture yourself in their situation. You talk to them every day; making plans to meet soon and imagining how amazing it’s going to be. You ask them about their day, what they ate, and if they’re doing okay.

This open channel of communication to alleviate some of their anxiety is part of being empathetic. You’re able to recognize that someone dear to you needs your attention. They need someone to talk to about their concerns. The meaning of empathy is to be present for someone in need.

Why is Empathy Important?

Empathy is important in almost every aspect of daily life. It helps us to leave our ego and allows us to have compassion for others, and relate to friends, loved ones, co-workers, and strangers too.

Feeling understood is not only a basic human need but it is also how we connect, help, and support one another. If we can’t recognize someone in pain, how can we support them??If we are unable to accept and empathize with our own emotions, it is difficult?to be present to people around us.

Four Qualities of Empathy:

-?????????to be able to see the world as others see it

-?????????to be?nonjudgmental

-?????????to understand another's feelings

-?????????to communicate your understanding of that person's feelings

These four components are present when one is being empathetic. When we can be present to another and be an accurate mirror for their feelings without taking on their emotions, these elements will be active. However, these qualities each require us to be peaceful within ourselves first. When empathy is done well, the person sees themselves in a mirror, their emotions dissipate, and they are ready to take action.

How to Practice Empathy with Others?

Empathy is the ability to truly be present. It's the ability to hold a safe space for others to feel their own emotions completely and to be able to understand their experience.

Empathy is one of the most vital emotional fitness skills, especially during difficult times for a person or in the face of a crisis. Developing empathy will increase your emotional intelligence overall.

-?????????Don't Take Responsibility for Others' Emotions

Empathy doesn't ask us to take responsibility for someone else’s feelings. The obstacle to expressing authentic empathy is the tendency to believe that we’re responsible for making other people feel better, especially those we love. You can be present to someone having a difficult time, yet not take on their energy or allow their emotions to weigh you down. Caring is connecting and supporting, not taking responsibility for their emotions. Imagine if everyone else’s emotions were our responsibility, what will happen to us?

-?????????Be Real About How You Feel

When we’re in a conflict with another person or dealing with someone or something that’s challenging for us, being able to admit, own, and express our fear, insecurity, sadness, anger, jealousy, or whatever other “negative” emotions we are experiencing, is one of the best ways for us to move past our defensiveness and authentically address the deeper issues of the situation. Doing this allows us to access empathy for ourselves, the other person or people involved, and even the circumstances of the conflict or challenge itself.

-?????????Imagine What It’s Like For Them

While it can sometimes be difficult for us to “understand” another person’s perspective or situation, being able to imagine what it must be like for them is an essential aspect of empathy. The more willing we are to imagine what it’s like for them, the more compassion, understanding, and empathy we’ll be able to experience. In today’s uncertain political climate and the many stresses that come with a pandemic, it is more important now than ever before to use compassion every day.

-?????????Forgive Yourself and Others

Forgiveness is one of the most important things we can do in life to heal ourselves, let go of negativity, and live a life of peace and fulfillment. Forgiveness has to first start with us. When we forgive ourselves, we create the conditions and perspective to forgive others. The more willing we are to forgive ourselves and others (and continue to practice this in an ongoing way), the more able we’ll be to empathize authentically.

Why Do People Lack Empathy?

Several things get in the way of us utilizing and experiencing the power of empathy. Three of the main ones, which are all interrelated, are as follows:

-?????????Feeling Threatened

We often feel “threatened” based on our fears, projections, and past experiences – not by what is happening in the moment or a particular relationship or situation. Whether the threat is “real” or “imagined,” when we feel threatened in any way, it often shuts down our ability to experience empathy.

-?????????Being Judgmental

Being judgmental is a different game than making value judgments (what to wear, what to eat, what to say, etc.). When we’re judgmental, we decide that we’re “right” and someone else is “wrong.” Doing this hurts us and others and it cuts us off from those around us. When we’re being judgmental about another person, group of people, or situation, we significantly diminish our capacity to be empathetic.

-?????????Fear

It’s our fear. There’s nothing inherently wrong with fear, it’s a natural human emotion – which, has many positive aspects to it, if we’re willing to admit it, own it, express it, and move through it. Fear saves our lives and keeps us out of trouble all the time.

Benefits of Practicing Empathy

·??????Benefits your health

·??????This leads to a happier life

·??????Improves communications skills

·??????Leads to teamwork

·??????Creates a healthy work environment

·??????Transcends personal relationships

. Decreases negativity