Happy Friday, Friends!
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama! :)
Empathy... I like how Daniel Goleman defined empathy in Working with Emotional Intelligence. Mr. Goleman said, "Empathy is awareness of others' feelings, needs, and concerns." I think it is beautiful; being aware of others' feelings, needs, and concerns. But how often do I really live that way?
Somewhere along the line we, as a society, apparently began to believe that it is our responsibility to tell others how they should feel, what they need, and what should concern them. Like most less than desirable things, how we got here is through a slow fade...it was one small poor choice here, another there, and then slowly we have faded to a place that is not good for any of us. Let's choose to be different! :)
When my oldest Tender Warrior, Payton, was a little boy my Mom gave me a great piece of advice; she said, "Never forget, his problems are as big to him as your problems are to you." She was communicating empathy, encouraging her son to have a compassionate heart and not to judge the path being walked by my son. Great wisdom...
As we go about our days we will be blessed to have many lives cross paths with ours. There will be people who are having a great day...let's celebrate with them! There will be people who are having bad days...let's come alongside them and lighten their burden where we can. Regardless, let's intentionally choose not to judge them, their thoughts, their feelings, and let's definitely not tell them how they should feel, what they need, or what should or shouldn't concern them. Just like you and me, they are doing the best they can in the moment, and the last thing any of us want is someone telling us how we should feel, what we need or what should concern us. If it matters to them, let it matter to us. This is how we learn and grow, and this is how we encourage, empower, and equip others to become all they are capable of becoming. Judgement and criticism do little to help another; empathy and compassion have the power to change the world. Let's change the world! :)
I want to share several quotes/thoughts with you this morning...
"Be a light, not a judge. Be a model, not a critic." - Stephen R. Covey
"Sometimes we need someone to simply be there...not to fix anything or do anything in particular, but to just let us feel we are supported and cared about." - Unknown
"I would not give much for your beliefs unless they can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they do shine." - Charles Spurgeon
"The next time you see someone enjoying something that isn't hurting anyone that's not your cup of tea, instead of saying something negative train yourself to think, "I'm glad they are happy" and carry on with your life." - Unknown
"True empathy requires that you step outside your own emotions to view things entirely from the perspective of the other person." - Anonymous
"One doesn't have to operate with great malice to do great harm. The absence of empathy and understanding are sufficient." - Charles M. Blow
"Empathy is simply listening, holding space, withholding judgement, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of you're not alone." - Brene Brown
"Wherever there is a human being there is an opportunity for kindness." - Seneca
"Leadership is about empathy. It is about having the ability to relate to and connect with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their lives." - Oprah Winfrey
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.
Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious families, and pleas stay well!
Kev
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