Developing Empathy For Others

One of the greatest gifts that we can give another person is to validate their perspective by recognizing the inherent good that exists within them.  Extending grace to another by recognizing that the other person has good intentions, and that they want what is best is a powerful way to connect with others.

You Don’t Have To Agree With Them To Celebrate Their Views

I once took a group of 13 year olds to the opera.  I was concerned that they might make fun of the performers or behave inappropriately.  So I prepared them in advance.  I told them that while opera might not be their music of choice, that they could still nevertheless recognize the talent of the performers.  They didn’t have to like the music style to appreciate the skill involved.  I explained that they needed to be respectful and clap at the right times, because we are clapping for the talent, not for our own appreciation of the genre.  The kids did a phenomenal job, and didn’t let me down!

Are you going to let a bunch of 13 year old’s show you up?  Or can you behave as well as they did?

The same is true when it comes to celebrating the positions of others.  It is okay that others don’t see the world the same way we do.  We can still recognize their talent and their goodness!  We can still celebrate their efforts to make a positive difference in the world!  Just because we disagree with something doesn’t mean we can’t see the goodness of the people promoting it!

Time for another story:  Hooray!  Story time:

I recently posted online about my admiration for a young autistic girl who was advocating for her deeply held beliefs about global warming.  I am moved by her passion and enthusiasm for her cause.  My friends on the left congratulated me for being so enlightened.  Which made me feel good.  My friends on the right excoriated me.  Didn’t I realize the damage this young lady was doing…

On the flip side, I recently posted online about how impressed I was with the effectiveness and speed for which a vaccine to an international pandemic was created.  My friends on the right congratulated me for being so enlightened.  Which once again, made me feel good.  While my friends on the left excoriated me.  Didn’t I realize the damage that this individual and party were doing!

How sad that we have reached a point where we can’t recognize the honest accomplishments of others unless they are on the same side of the political aisle as ourselves!

It is okay to celebrate those who promote things that we don’t entirely agree with!

Why should we celebrate those who we disagree with?  Remember the students who I took to an opera performance?  Who I told to clap for the talent, and not the style?

In the case of our neighbors who view the world differently from ourselves, what we are celebrating is their talent and contributions.  What we are celebrating is their sincerity and desire to do good.  What we are celebrating is their willingness to put themselves out there.  Not the degree to which we do or do not agree with their conclusions or style.

As yo will see in the next few sections, those individuals who disagree with us offer an important counterbalance to our positions that help keep our communities functioning.