October 26, 2025: Empathy Can Make A Difference
Definition of Empathy: Oxford Dictionary: noun: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
“When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another – and ourselves.”
– Jack Kornfield
In today’s fast paced, technology driven world, the ability of having empathy does not seem to be widely reflected in the news or on social media platforms. The headlines that get the most attention are ones that showcase the terrible and tragic events, rather than celebrate acts of human compassion and kindness. As a result, a tendency can be to withdraw in our own protective shelters to reduce anxiety and use these as protections against the overwhelming feelings that we can’t make a difference.
Hiding behind anonymity, on Facebook and other platforms, commenters post disparaging comments with the intention to denigrate, disparage and insult. In politics, which every day seem to be more hostile, people are bombarded with reasons to judge those who don’t agree with their views, and alienate and belittle others who are “different’. I can’t help but wonder, where have the values of human kindness and empathy gone and how can we bring them back?
“Empathy is the most mysterious transaction that the human soul can have, and it’s accessible to all of us, but we have to give ourselves the opportunity to identify, to plunge ourselves in a story where we see the world from the bottom up or through another’s eyes or heart.”
– Sue Monk Kidd
When we are empathetic, we have the ability to understand someone’s emotional state and perspective. This ability can help us share and experience the other person’s feelings, leading to the desire to both help and support the other person. In the worlds religions, although there are differences in practicies, traditions and philosopy; the united theme is that our own happiness lies in helping and giving to others.
But while the technology of cell phones and internet offer us instant gratification, it can also isolate us. How often have you sat in a restaurant and observed other diners staring at their cell phones rather than talking with their companions? The positive power of human connection is hidden behind a glass screen. On social media, I also wonder how many of those negative comments on Facebook would be posted, if the writer was in the actual presence of the receiver.
Scientific research shows us that empathy has a biological foundation and emerges early in life. It appears in different levels, with some having more of a natural predisposition, but it can be taught. In Finland and Japan, for example, early education focuses on building character and empathy towards others.
A new trend in several of our local schools, is to ban the use of cell phones during the day. A teacher friend remarked how at first the change was hard for the students. But after a few day, the teachers and students began to see the benefits. In the lunch room now, there is chatter as students are talking to each other, rather than clicking on their phones.
“How can we expand our empathic potential? We may well be wired for empathy, but we still need to think about how we are going to bring our circuits to life.”
– Roman Krznaric
There are ways in which we can develop our own empathetic abilities and model them for others.
We can become active listeners by giving our full attention to the speaker. In other words, put away the cell phone and actually look at the listener. We can listen without judgement and pay attention to the subtle but telling non-verbal clues. And we can try to avoid interrupting before offering our own ideas and solutions.
We can acknowledge the speaker’s feelings by showing our care and concern and validating her/his emotions with statements that we understand what he/she is trying to express.
This can be th biggest challenge, but we can expand our own perspective, in making a concerted effort to understand those who have different beliefs and opinions.
Finally, when appropriate, we can offer concrete support though action: a listening ear, a helping hand, or even a hug.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
– Leo Buscaglia
At a recent show, a woman came into our booth and I happened to notice her beautiful pendant. I remarked on it, and she told me that she had it custom made to reflect the love between her and her husband who she had been married to for 47 years. She then told me that he had passed away suddenly in the Spring and how much she missed him. As tears welled in both of our eyes, I reached over and hugged her. She nestled into my arms, and we just stood there, the busyness of the show temporarily forgotten. Afterwards, she stepped back and said, “Thank you, thank you, and thank you”. She shared her story, inspired a simple hug, and generated a sense of heartfelt gratitude. This heartwarming feeling stayed with me the rest of the day.
Like ripples in a pond that expand outwards, when we experience it ourselves or show empathy for others, we can make a difference in a world, that too often, seems to forget the positive impact and power of compassion and kindness.
Thanks you for taking the time to read my reflections. Once again, I have chosen quotes on empathy and kindness that hopefully will inspire you as well. I invite you to share your thoughts and/or quotes that inspire you. And like the positive ripples in a pond of life, I encourage you share this with someone who might find it meaningful.
In peace and harmony,
Wendy Oellers-Fulmer
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
“Empathy is simply listening, holding space, withholding judgement, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of ‘You’re not alone.'”
– Brené Brown
“By peace we mean the capacity to transform conflicts with empathy, without violence, and creatively – a never-ending process.”
– John Galtung
“Empathy is the fuel that powers acts of kindness and compassion.”
– Karen Armstrong
“Empathy is about standing in someone else’s shoes, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes. Not only is empathy hard to outsource and automate, but it makes the world a better place.”
– Daniel H. Pink
“Empathy is the only human superpower-it can shrink distance, cut through social and power hierarchies, transcend differences, and provoke political and social change.”
– Elizabeth Thomas
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”
– Harper Lee
“Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?”
– Henry David Thoreau
“Empathy is the art of stepping imaginatively into the shoes of another person, understanding their feelings and perspectives, and using that understanding to guide your actions.”
– Barack Obama
“Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.”
– Karl Menninger
“The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh
“Empathy is the ability to step outside of your own bubble and to understand the realities of someone else’s life. It’s the cornerstone of human connection.”
– Oprah Winfrey
