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Thursday, August 20, 2015

Thursday Thoughts...

“Empathy is sometimes just a glance. Because in a glance, one can convey ‘I get what you’re feeling. I’m not judging you. I’m here with you.’” 

Brené Brown

Empathy is such an important virtue or characteristic or expression. I'm never really sure how best to describe it, but it is an important part of being human, and of being kind.

It possibly defies proper  definition because it appears in so many guises.  Empathy can be sitting in silence. As Brene Brown says - it can be a glance. Empathy can be the right words, or reflecting back to somebody that you recognise their sorrow, their pain, even if you don't fully experience it.

Empathy can simply be acknowledging that you walk a different path to others and that your experience is not their experience. It can be making sure that somebody feels heard and not judged. It might be shedding tears with somebody. It might be sending a small gift or token that touches a person heart and let's them know you are thinking of them at a time when they are struggling.

So many ways it can be expressed, and I am ever so glad that it does get expressed. Sometimes I do it well, sometimes I don't, and sometimes I forget to make it a focus of an interaction I might not be understanding. But is a great gift that enhances us all.


We have completed the monthly search for the rainbow with Jennifer and Julie, and are now underway looking for other colours. This month is brown and here are a bunch of daily words, and even tho you can't see it clearly I am sure empathy is in there somewhere. 

16 comments:

  1. Such lovely thoughts today, Fiona. Thank you-Julie

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    1. Thanks Julie - it is a small and yet big word to ponder...

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  2. I enjoyed reading your thoughts about empathy - it's so important and too often not expressed. And your pile of words is brilliant.

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    1. Thanks Sharmon, I really am not sure how to describe empathy, but I know when I feel it or experience it for myself. I think the brown pile of letters is rather lovely too!

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  3. I love and appreciate your Thursday Thoughts. This one is particularly inspiring.

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    1. Glad you continue to enjoy them J - I continue to enjoy the wee moment in the week when I stop to think and ponder...

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  4. You're so right about this Fiona. Everyone has their own understanding of empathy. To me it is all the things you describe it as and it is a special gift if you are able to express it.

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    1. Thanks Lesley - and I think it is real gift when you get to experience it from someone else. Oh to be 'heard' and understood! Go well.

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  5. Kudos for honesty, Fiona. Also high on the list.

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    1. Thanks Roxanne - I am not proud of those moments when I realise I have failed to empathise, but even writing this post has acted as a reminder to bring it forward more often...Go well.

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  6. this post warms the cockles of my heart

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  7. Beautiful and true expressions here...I've all but stood on my head reading word after word...thank you.

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    1. Thanks so much Mary Anne, it's nice to think we can share words that make us wonder, and make us care...go well.

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  8. Beautiful words ... and maybe empathy is within or at the heart of them all ...

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    1. Thanks Charlton/Margaret - you may just be right! Go well.

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.