The Empathy Letters: Are You Open To Strangers? ??

How was your week? I would love to hear. I am writing to you from a beautiful rainy Singapore, where I have just completed a masterclass at the Unilever campus. It’s been 14 days since these letters began and I have been so very touched by the responses from many of you. Thank you.

When I sent out the first Empathy Letter, I had no expectations. I wanted to write to you all, so I did. I had no idea of the ripple they would make. In personal stories, heartfelt replies and truly meaningful letters back to me.

In one letter, the person mentioned to me that my letter had meant so much to him because “nobody ever asks someone personally about themselves anymore. Nobody ever speaks to the heart. We can never be completely open to express ourselves without the fear of judgement.”?

It struck me as so sad,?to think that this is our reality. I hear a similar sentiment in workshops across the world and I state the loneliness stats on stage (52% of us feel lonely). But, even so, I am struck by the fact that whilst our life expectancy has improved over the last 100 years, it seems we are pretty much headed in a direction where this might reverse. No one wants to die alone and yet we seem stuck on trying to live alone. Paradoxical, right?

I always believe life pulls us together with those we are meant to meet, but I think sometimes we are too busy, or simply too scared, to open ourselves up to meeting those people. Strangers can be scary. Do you think so too??

I guess this week I will just leave you all with this - are you being open enough to the new people in your lives? The potential, the future, the inspiring? Are you available for new opportunities? Are you listening? Or are you, like so many others, a little too tunnel vision in your habitual weekly routine? Maybe consider that for a moment.?

Your responses so far are the proof that we really do all want someone to listen to us, show interest in us, write to us.

So, whoever that stranger is in your day today……see them, listen to them, acknowledge them.

After all, if a letter can make this much impact, imagine what a smile can do.

Until the next letter,

Mimi

P.S If this is your first letter, The Empathy Letters are personal, simple, candid letters that prompt a new idea, share a strangers story, or simply offer some refreshed empathy in your week.?Never a newsletter, these letters - similar to a ‘penpal’ of old - are from me to you, and I would love your letter in reply, every now and then.