Empathy

     Continuing our study of Non Violent Communication using Marshall Rosenberg's book, Nonviolent Communication:A Language of Life, the Sage-ing discussion centered on empathy. The chapter begins with a quote from Carl Rogers who states that empathy "allows me to reperceive my world in a new way and go on."

     Hearing what another has to say, really hearing, without judgement, without trying to change them, without trying to fix whatever it is, is one of the most important gifts we can give to them.

     A few important notes about empathy:

• Usually it is more difficult to empathize with those we are closest to.
• When a person is needing our empathy the most, they are usually behaving in a manner that makes it difficult for us to give empathy.
• When we listen for feelings and needs, we no longer see people as monsters.
• If we empathize when someone tells us "no", it protects us from taking it personally.
• Through empathy, we can defuse violence.

Empathy is a wonderful tool we can use throughout our lives.