Empathy in Action
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Sometimes in the rush of life or in the process of self-absorption, we fail to do just that.
- Today I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I’m working on for my Psychology class. When I asked her to define success in her own words, she said, "Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile."
- Today I asked my mentor, a very successful businessman in his 70s, what his top three tips are for success. He smiled and said, “Read something no one else is reading, think something no one else is thinking, and do something no one else is doing."
- Today after my 72-hour shift at the fire station, a woman ran up to me at the store and gave me a hug. When I tensed up, she realized I didn't recognize her. She let go with tears of joy and the most sincere smile and said, "On September 11, 2001, you carried me out of the World Trade Center."
- Today after I watched my dog get run over by a car, I sat on the side of the road holding him and crying. Just before he died, he licked the tears off my face.
- Today at 7:00 a.m. I woke up feeling ill, but decided I needed the money, so I went to work. At 3:00 p.m. I got laid off. On my drive home I got a flat tire. When I went into the trunk for the spare, it was flat too. A man in a BMW pulled over and gave me a ride. We chatted, and then he offered me a job. I start working tomorrow.
- Today as my father, three brothers, and two sisters stood around my mother's hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died. She simply said, "I feel so loved right now. We should have gotten together like this more often."
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Sometimes in the rush of life or in the process of self-absorption, we fail to do just that.
In the Bible, a lawyer is talking with Jesus about what one must do to inherit eternal life. The lawyer said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus replied, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.” Luke 10:25-28.
Think how encouraging to you it is when someone truly takes the little time and effort required to express love, care, and concern for what’s going on in your life, especially when you’re experiencing sadness, stress, or separation. That’s part of loving your neighbor. Empathy in action.
(excerpted from Perspectives | Thoughts from Dr. Jerry Kieschnick on Life in Christ)
Yours in Christ,
Dr. Gerald B. "Jerry" Kieschnick
Chief Executive Officer
Legacy Deo
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