1.0 – Lesson 1 : What is Empathy and Where Do We Observe (Part 2)

How would you feel when you are celebrating scoring the highest in school but there is nobody who recognises what it means to you?
Empathy is the building block of every relationship we have in our lives, be it in a family, among friends, our workplace, in a community or for the world at large.

Don’t we notice ourselves getting attached to the understanding parent, a particular friend or a colleague with whom we can communicate freely, as we feel heard, acknowledged and understood by them?

Relationships  without  empathy fall apart as people feel unloved and unheard by the other person. In a team, when there is a lack of empathy amongst the members, it affects group dynamics  and  disturbs  the coordination, thus ending in disagreements and unwillingness to interact  with  one  another. 

 We may not like those teachers who dismiss our inability to understand something, but love those who help us understand concepts in an easier way. We also offer and receive help only from neighbors we are comfortable talking to. Ask yourself why you feel comfortable when talking to someone. Feeling understood is not only a basic human need but it is also how we connect, help, and support one another. But too often, we are quick to judge someone or impatient to listen completely to get to know the whole situation. Even worse we might laugh at someone when they share their sorrow. Have you ever wondered why?

It is important to understand why we hesitate when it comes to listening to and empathising with someone closely. If we feel what they are feeling, would we still respond in the same manner? If we can’t recognize someone in pain, how can we support them? How can we make a difference? 

Wouldn’t we prevent suicides if we could only listen to someone who wanted to share what they were feeling? This is why empathy is crucial.