Choosing Empathy

Today I offer this simple encouragement. A reminder. A pact. Feel my hand squeeze yours with this note. 

Many things are being said about empathy right now. 

Foolish words. Harmful words. Dangerous words. Cautionary words in response. I won't repeat them here. You don't need to see them again. 

Instead, here are other words. True words. Hopeful words. Wise words. Surround yourself with them. Let them wash over you. Shore up your heart and your determination. Because no matter what anyone claims about empathy, these are true. And you can choose empathy and its sister act, compassion. 

“There is no known defense against relentless compassion.” — Ari Cowan

"Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself." — Mohsin Hamid

"Compassion and empathy are not luxuries; they are necessities for human survival." — Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama 

“In separateness lies the world's great misery, in compassion lays the world's true strength.” — Hindu Prince Gautama Siddhartha

“Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and it's beauty.” — Albert Einstein

“We only have what we give.” — Isabel Allende

And now take these words and share them. Email them. Post them. Write them on a card and mail them to a loved one. 

Print them. Leave them in restaurants and coffee shops. Tuck them in books at the bookstore. Hand them to strangers on the bus. To the grocery clerk. Paint them on rocks and leave them to be found on park benches. Tattoo them on your arm.  

And most of all, live them. 

Choose to let yourself feel empathy for others. Then come to understand their situation, and act with compassion. That's love. 

And it's yours to choose! Isn't that encouraging?