Hardwired for Empathy

While I walk my dog I listen to podcasts. Yesterday morning I was listening to KUER's Radiowest with Doug Fabrizio and he was discussing "Why Empathy Matters." with philosopher, Roman Krznaric. Working with Playworks in the field of youth development and helping children discover their social and emotional best selves through play in elementary schools has led me to think a lot about the role of empathy in our communities and across our nation. Sadly, I had come to conclusion that our levels of empathy has declined as our divides have widen. Krznaric has validated this hypothesis with his research.

However, I was struck by the notion that empathy is hardwired into us and that events and environments we interact with can either help to erode our sense of empathy or empower and strengthen it. Empathy doesn't just matter because it is a "nice-to-have" or "fluffy" sentiment. Empathy is at the core of being of human and restoring it, or developing that muscle memory in all of us, could be the key to bridging divides, finding common ground, and building a tremendous future. In a sense,

Teaching empathy is key to a more prosperous future!

Roman Krznaric outlines "6 Habits of Highly Empathetic People" in a post he wrote back in 2012 and what is inspiring about these habits are that they can be formed very early in children's lives through the vehicle of safe and healthy PLAY!

Playworks leverages play to bring out the best in every kid, that includes bringing out radical empathy that is hardwired in every kid, but maybe suppressed or already in decline by the time they enter kindergarten. Play is a powerful tool for helping us step into another's emotional and physical space and truly understand. Play holds the power to build bridges, embolden social bonds, and enliven our empathetic selves. That is incredibly powerful in the face of division, competition, and self-interest.

On this Giving Tuesday, I invite you to help Playworks give kids the childhood they deserve and ultimately, by generating empathetic habits at early ages, giving us all the future we deserve.

Go to: https://donate.playworks.org/fundraiser/1704741 and help me and Playworks bring out the empathy in every child!