Empathy as a concept is pretty easy to grasp, but it can be difficult to practice. It takes thought and intention to truly grasp the feelings and experiences of another person.
“Empathy” and “sympathy” are two words that have similar qualities, but possess distinguishable definitions. Here is a video, Brené Brown on Empathy, to learn more about the differences and why empathy is an effective approach to understanding others’ feelings.
To better understand the impact of empathy read The Power of Empathy which discusses a real example of how empathy can change a difficult situation. The article also provides an exercise for practicing empathy in your own life.
For more tips on empathy and how to use it to help someone going through a tough time, listen to this podcast with Dr. Kelsey Crowe, an empathy expert!
Self-Reflective Questions:
- Have you ever imagined yourself in someone else’s place? If so, how did it feel and what did you learn from the experience?
- How can having empathy for others help you better support them?