Because empathy is much more than putting yourself in the other person's shoes, because it is talked about a lot and it is so important to develop it.
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousTHEempathy in the dictionary definition it is described as "the ability to understand the mood and emotional situation of another person, immediately, mainly without recourse to verbal communication."
In fact it is so but it should be specified that perceiving and understanding the emotions of others does not imply trying identical ones, which happens rather in the so-called emotional contagion and that can be wrongly deduced when we say "put yourself in the other's shoes".
The empath perceives and understands the emotional states of another person, manages to put himself in his shoes, but is not infected by them. For example, if a friend is down in the dumps, the empath feels it and, noticing his sadness, tries to comfort the person by offering him support, without being absorbed by melancholy.
That is, empathy helps us to perceive the emotional signals of another person, signals that transcend words but which, for example, can be transmitted through gestures, facial expressions, positions and so on. By perceiving them, we are able to feel closer to that person without experiencing the exact same emotions.
Ma why it is so important to be empathetic? Because a more empathic world has the premises to be a more supportive world, which we would all benefit from. Not to mention that by spreading solidarity and mutual support, people would also be less inclined to violence and more predisposed to constructive dialogue, less distrustful of each other, more respectful and understanding, as well as open to points of view other than their own. Of course, empathy will not be enough to change the world but it is a small contribution that certainly does not hurt!
Although there are people who are more or less empathic by nature, there are gods ways to improve empathy, which is a quality that can be learned, first of all by recognizing one's emotions. For instance listen to others with an open heart avoiding judgments, be honest and sincere to make those in front of us feel at ease. Nobody wants to open up to someone who doesn't speak frankly. Being human, compassionate, understanding understanding that we are all different. Be open on a mental level avoiding, as far as possible, prejudices or at least trying to overcome them. Be willing to question yourself and your own morals.
SOURCES: Dailygood / Illustration by Laura De Rosa - mirabilinto.com
You might also like:
- The Museum of Empathy opens in London to discover the world with the 'shoes' of others
- Mister Empathy: the cartoon that tells the power of empathy (VIDEO)
