Everyone who wants to live well in society must have already questioned what empathy is. On the internet, it has become common to say that a person has no empathy for the other during an argument or even when the topic is the life of a celebrity who is being offended, for example.
If you still don't know how this concept applies to your life and why it is so important to the interpersonal relationships we build, the next few paragraphs will introduce you to a new way of dealing with those around you. Learn more about the subject below.
What is empathy?
According to the dictionary, “empathy” is what makes one person identify with another. This skill is commonly known as "putting yourself in someone else's shoes". In practice, however, empathy goes far beyond that.
It is impossible to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Even with a lot of effort, there is no way to perfectly understand how someone feels in a given situation, since these feelings are the result of all the life experiences that this individual has accumulated.
So, in a social aspect, empathy must be understood as the effort to understand that there are countless ways of seeing the world and several different realities, which go far beyond our perceptions.
So we need to respect other people's feelings and remember that they have their own stories, which we can never fully access. By doing this, judgments about other people's lives are likely to be drastically reduced. But how does empathy manifest itself in a person's life?
Examples of empathy
Empathy is fundamental in all environments through which a person transits. Empathy at work, for example, is what helps us to identify when someone is overwhelmed, to offer assistance to that person, reducing the pressure and tension they have been experiencing.
In this same context, when an employee faces a personal problem and asks for time off, empathy can manifest. Empathic people understand this individual's plight and are willing to alleviate the problems he is facing without questioning it.
Empathy for others also appears in friendship circles. If someone's friend is feeling bad about something, whoever is always by her side won't judge her. On the contrary, it will welcome you, validating that person's feelings and showing that everything will be okay.
In the family environment, empathy can be a little more subtle, but it is present. An example of this is when family members try to calm a child who is crying, because, even though they do not understand the reason for the crying, they know that the child is suffering and needs affection.
And why should we act in this respectful and understanding way, rather than advocating “every man for himself”? Next, discover the benefits of practicing empathy daily, in all areas of your life.
benefits of empathy
You've already realized that empathy should be part of all your relationships, but how can it help you, exactly? What does one person gain by being empathetic to another and how can this influence society? Understand:
1) Ease of dialogue
Empathy is, first of all, a sign of respect for the other person. When we feel respected, we are able to talk openly about our feelings and thoughts, knowing that we will not be judged. Consequently, it is simpler to dialogue with those around us — both by listening and speaking.
2) Building lasting relationships
Building lasting and deep relationships is the main effect of empathy. From this virtue, we are able to connect more with people, understanding their life stories and feelings. Soon, society as a whole becomes more welcoming and honest.
3) Relief from stress and tension
Stress and tension often manifest when we feel overwhelmed or when we are not open to talking about how we are feeling. With empathy, it becomes easier to share our woes with others and share tasks. We also managed to avoid unnecessary arguments, conflicts and judgments.
Importance of empathy
Based on the positive aspects that empathy offers for coexistence between people, we can already see how important it is. As life in society is inevitable, the best thing to do is to cultivate it with acceptance and respect, two fundamental pillars of empathy.
It is from the recognition of multiple realities and perspectives on life that we are able to embrace the diversity of the communities in which we live. Only in this way can each individual be the best version of themselves, because they know they will be heard and recognized in any situation, regardless of what they are feeling.
Therefore, if you want to live in a better world, where love prevails over hate, empathy is the main virtue that will accompany you. It's important to see everything beyond your own belly button and nurture powerful and transformative relationships from there, isn't it?
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After understanding in detail why empathy is so fundamental in everyone's life, do a self-knowledge exercise. Think about whether you have been an empathetic person and in what ways could you take that virtue to those around you!
