Experiencing Empathy on a Whole New Level

em·pa·thy

noun \ˈem-pə-thē\

Definition of EMPATHY

 

: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner; also : the capacity for this

 

I must confess...

 

As a teenager and young adult, I rarely could empathize with someone because I was so consumed with myself...and since I'm confessing...I must admit I still am that way at times. It's human nature, but certainly still not OK.

 

After hearing many harsh opinions about my selfish ways when I was younger, I began praying about it. Desiring empathy so I could counsel, support and relate better to those around me who were going through challenging times. I have never told anyone about this prayer. I stopped praying this a while ago, because in the last 10 years, this prayer has greatly been answered!

 

Now that I am in the workforce full-time, there are so many more ways that I can and do empathize with those around me. For example...

 

1. I can empathize with those who struggle with weight loss and are tempted at work on an hourly basis with Girl Scout cookies, cafe's in short walking distance...and actually having an entire hour to EAT in the middle of the day and zero time or energy to workout!
2. I can empathize with all those drivers just trucking along to put in or end another work day...good or challenging.
3. I can empathize with how my children feel on the first day of school, or a new Sunday School class, or at a birthday party that they only know the guest of honor. I too am the "new" person in a great big corporate world now and not knowing anyone really feels weird.
4. I can empathize with those parents who work so freaking hard to provide, and yet they feel completely disconnected from their child's life because they don't get to see them often throughout the week or participate in outdoor activities.
5. I can empathize with those parents who come home with their head still reeling from the events of their day at work...good or challenging.
6. I can empathize with those shoppers who are stuck in long check out lines because they have to wait til the weekend to stock up their cupboards and fridge with food for the week.

My list could go on...

BUT...with empathy, comes compassion. I now have a whole new perspective and knowledge on how, what and why working parents (particularly moms) feel the way that they do, day in and day out.

I have had as smooth as a transition to work full-time that any original stay-at-home mom could have. My husband is absolutely amazing and has stepped up the plate (challenge) big time and our Nanny is out of this world! By no means am I complaining by my examples of my recent empathy. I think the Lord has blessed me with an opportunity to be less judgemental (we all do it...admit it!) of those parents who work as hard or as much as they do.

I enjoy my job, I enjoy my morning drives where I can listen to past church sermons from my Pastor, I enjoy meeting new people and I enjoy a new challenge.