A Plea for Empathy

A few years back I wrote a short post about a video I'd seen on a work conference. The message of the video was to inspire empathy and understanding towards others, because so often you truly have no idea what joys or sadnesses they could be experiencing. The first time I saw this video I cried; watching it years later I cried again.

Lately, I've seen an overwhelming amount of judgement and negativity directed towards others. I see it in the world at large in politics, international relations, race, religion, etc.... but I also see, hear and feel it among the people I interact with on a daily basis. It saddens me, deeply.

So I've decided to share the link to the video again. I hope that you'll watch it. I hope too, that you'll take it's message to heart. That you'll remember the people you talk to in the store, the peers you interact with at work, and the neighbors who live across the street are living inside a world completely different from your world. Try not to judge too harshly, the person on the phone who says something rude - they might have just been yelled at themselves for no good reason. Don't criticize the people down the street for never having a clean yard - they might suffer chronic pain and not have anyone who can help them. Let go of any annoyance you may feel for a person who talks insufferably about the same topic over and over again - it might be the only thing in their life that brings them any joy.

Our world will, I think, be a better place if we can all find it in our hearts to do this more; and that in turn will make our hearts happier, brighter places to call home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDDWvj_q-o8 

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