Empathy means being able to feel or identify with the feelings and attitudes of another person. It’s usually a good thing to have. Sometimes we forget how instinctively empathetic we already are, though.
On Easter Sunday a sophomore guard for the University of Louisville leaped in the air to contest his opponent’s jump shot. He landed badly. Many have said Kevin Ware’s compound fracture was the worst injury they’d ever seen. I was watching it live. Thankfully I couldn’t really see it but I still knew it was horrific. The reaction from his teammates gave it away (the link doesn’t show the injury, I promise).
Despite being perfectly safe, anyone who saw Ware’s right leg winced in pain as if it was their own. Funny how that works. We can’t help but empathize with him in this situation. There are actually neurons in our brains that make this happen. They’re also why we feel awkward even when we’re watching TV at home by ourselves.
Too often we think of empathy as a one-sided practice. We’re told to empathize with others while forgetting how we make those feel who empathize with us. Empathy, like many things in life, is reciprocal.
Therefore, be injured and we’ll feel your injury. Be awkward and we’ll feel your awkwardness.
And with that, be kind and we’ll feel your kindness. Be helpful, thoughtful and inspiring and we’ll feel all those things, too.
Care about other people and other people will care about you. (This one should help you no matter what you’re trying to do.)
Good luck.
P.S. Thank you to everyone who shared their heartfelt “If I hadn’t…” stories last week. Chuck, Frank, Sandy, Emily, Mia, Eric, Kevin, Courtney, TJ, Brendan, Phil and JD. Your empathy is appreciated.
