How empathy defines us

Lately I’ve been giving a lot of thought to ‘empathy’ and my capacity for it. As the impact and consequences of COVID-19 are being felt around the globe, many of us are bound by quarantine guidelines, restricting our ability to move about freely.

For me, that means nearly around-the-clock interaction with my family of 6, including an old senile dog and four kids all under the ages of 12. Additionally my wife and I, who both work demanding full-time jobs, are also bestowed the new titles of 5th, 2nd, and Kindergarten teacher. Empathy has to be in our DNA, right?

Conversely, in an attempt to find normality and happiness during this time, I’ve made a few investments in self-improvement: a running program, morning meditation, and writing in my journal.

However, each attempt has all been somewhat short-lived to improve myself in some way. So, rather than providing me with a release from the stress of our current environment and the uncertainty of our short-term future, it has instead manifested itself in me in other, more unexpected ways.

 

 

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