Community: Finding empathy
Each week, we gather our community’s wisdom. This week, we asked:
What helps you to practice empathy?
"I always pay attention to what people is saying to me and identify their feelings. Perhaps is not the way I would react to it but l understand that their’s is a possible reaction too and completely valid. Then I follow the conversation from their point of view."
"I remind myself that they're a person, just like me."
"Looking for what might be upsetting them in their lives first. I try to keep that in mind so I can better imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes."
"When I catch myself making a judgment, I inboke the mantra, “suspend judgment”, followed by an internal exploration of what a generous interpretation might be … that puts me in a headspace of being curious, open, and soft-hearted."
"I ask myself, what might I need if I were in that person’s situation? Knowing what I know about them, what might they need?"
“Try to practice active listening. Leave room for the other to talk and open up.”
“I’m very mindful of not judging. I’m definitely not perfect, I don’t need to criticize others in bad times.”
“Paying attention and listening, and imagining myself in the other’s shoes if possible.”
“The first step is understanding: how the other person is feeling and where they’re coming from.”
“To just listen. And I try to feel so much love for the other person when I talk to them.”
“Listening to seek understanding and give validation and support with love.”
“Being open minded, knowing I only know a tiny bit of their story.”
“By being more of a listener than a talker.”
“Listening without judging.”
“Being present and alert.”
“I wonder what might have caused that particular reaction.”
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