In considering the subject of my blog today, I began to think about several specific encounters I had during the first part of the week. I thought about that even being a therapist, sometimes there are no words to say to people in certain situations.
That is when I began to think of empathy. Knowing that sometimes if you can just “feel” with that person, no words are needed. I did say “feel with” that person not “feel for” that person. Because feeling for a person is showing sympathy, which sometimes worsens the situation. I am tagging a video that can be watched on YouTube. This is the best explanation of sympathy that I could ever give. Have a great week and remember sometimes words are not necessary, just empathy.
Some Definitions of Empathy:
Empathy n. the power of entering into another’s personality and imaginatively experiencing his experiences.
Chambers English Dictionary, 1989 edition
“[Empathy is] awareness of others’ feelings, needs and concerns.”
Daniel Goleman, in Working with Emotional Intelligence
“I call him religious who understands the suffering of others.”
Mahatma Gandhi
“Empathy is intuitive, but is also something you can work on, intellectually.”
Tim Minchin