As always, you write the wisdom we need. When I was a young person in my 20s, I moved away from home, and becoming aware of the world (and reading books!), I went through a painful process from a deeply conservative person to a progressive person. It all started with my love of nature and sense of stewardship, which came from my little country church upbringing. I went through a phase of pulling away from my family-of-origin because I had the desire to convert them to my new way of thinking and they wanted to bring me back into their fold. I had the impulse that we see so much of today of "cutting people out." I've come to believe that, except in extreme cases, it's possible to honor one's own boundaries, yet be in relationship. That cutting people out is often not the answer- for me anyway, I just can't. Over the years I've learned that people are complicated (duh!), despite what social media tells us; that people who think intolerable thoughts and can even be abusive, are also capable of the deepest empathy and love. And we can find common ground there. ...I could write a book on this (I think I am writing a book about this actually, ha!). Yes, those of us writers and artists in a position to do so can appeal to people's better angels.
Janisse, I love this. I love the idea of focusing on empathy as a way to go forward, and I love the way you have reminded us about the importance of story for evoking empathy and building human relationships.
Excellent suggestion, Janisse, to spread empathy as a way to counterbalance any ill effects coming out of D.C., and a way to soothe our souls in the process. That's a fine place for us to stand, together, in these worrisome times. Appreciate you!
A good friend of mine recently published a book of dramatic monologues based on interviews with marginalized people. I am proud to have done early editing of the project.
I cannot agree more with you about our political situation. I have nightmares about what is coming. Empathy is a pathway through the darkness. Thank you for this wisdom and practice.
My life is fortunate. I have a snug warm house, plentiful food and safety. In my town is a hotel that has been converted into a home for people who were formerly homeless and are doing their best to regain their foothold in this world. These are people who want a job, their own home eventually and safety of knowing their basic life needs are met. This building has a sign outside where they post items they need. When I drive past and see what is on their sign, like trash bags, paper towels, canned goods, deli foods, women's clothing, etc. I make sure I either bring something from home or pick it up while in town and drop it off at the office. The people who work there are so appreciative, and if there happens to be any residents nearby, they go out of their way to thank me. There is a thin line between not having life's necessities and having enough, and I never forget that.
Ooh, I need to check my schedule but I really loved the last journaling session I did with you in August 2023 so I hope I can make it for this one. Looking forward to it!
I've been a 'worker-bee' in places that seemed devoid of empathy. Imagine a ritual for joining their senior management fraternity.
Candidates, hand over a few strands of fiber from your heart muscle.
They braid and tie them into a slip knot with a loop large enough to fit over one's head. That contraption fits snugly around the neck. At any detection of empathy, HR yanks the knot tighter.
Want a promotion? Give us more strands of your heart's fiber.
I’ve been coping through acts of kindness. I love your prompts to bring out empathy. Of course, authoritarians use fear and cruelty. Empathy and kindness are the antidote. Thank you for articulating this so clearly!
As always, you write the wisdom we need. When I was a young person in my 20s, I moved away from home, and becoming aware of the world (and reading books!), I went through a painful process from a deeply conservative person to a progressive person. It all started with my love of nature and sense of stewardship, which came from my little country church upbringing. I went through a phase of pulling away from my family-of-origin because I had the desire to convert them to my new way of thinking and they wanted to bring me back into their fold. I had the impulse that we see so much of today of "cutting people out." I've come to believe that, except in extreme cases, it's possible to honor one's own boundaries, yet be in relationship. That cutting people out is often not the answer- for me anyway, I just can't. Over the years I've learned that people are complicated (duh!), despite what social media tells us; that people who think intolerable thoughts and can even be abusive, are also capable of the deepest empathy and love. And we can find common ground there. ...I could write a book on this (I think I am writing a book about this actually, ha!). Yes, those of us writers and artists in a position to do so can appeal to people's better angels.
Wise & beautifully said, Brandy.
Janisse, I love this. I love the idea of focusing on empathy as a way to go forward, and I love the way you have reminded us about the importance of story for evoking empathy and building human relationships.
This is a wonderful reminder of how important empathy is to create and maintain a compassionate world.
Yes!
This is beautiful Janisse.
Excellent suggestion, Janisse, to spread empathy as a way to counterbalance any ill effects coming out of D.C., and a way to soothe our souls in the process. That's a fine place for us to stand, together, in these worrisome times. Appreciate you!
This is an excellent treatise on empathy and how it can mitigate hatred and fear. Thank you for thinking this through.
I like this idea!
A good friend of mine recently published a book of dramatic monologues based on interviews with marginalized people. I am proud to have done early editing of the project.
https://walnutstreetpublishing.com/product/we-speak/
A performance of some of the monologues.
https://youtu.be/MBxh6GV5enM?si=mU4GbbDRgUl55LzA
I cannot agree more with you about our political situation. I have nightmares about what is coming. Empathy is a pathway through the darkness. Thank you for this wisdom and practice.
My life is fortunate. I have a snug warm house, plentiful food and safety. In my town is a hotel that has been converted into a home for people who were formerly homeless and are doing their best to regain their foothold in this world. These are people who want a job, their own home eventually and safety of knowing their basic life needs are met. This building has a sign outside where they post items they need. When I drive past and see what is on their sign, like trash bags, paper towels, canned goods, deli foods, women's clothing, etc. I make sure I either bring something from home or pick it up while in town and drop it off at the office. The people who work there are so appreciative, and if there happens to be any residents nearby, they go out of their way to thank me. There is a thin line between not having life's necessities and having enough, and I never forget that.
Ooh, I need to check my schedule but I really loved the last journaling session I did with you in August 2023 so I hope I can make it for this one. Looking forward to it!
I've been a 'worker-bee' in places that seemed devoid of empathy. Imagine a ritual for joining their senior management fraternity.
Candidates, hand over a few strands of fiber from your heart muscle.
They braid and tie them into a slip knot with a loop large enough to fit over one's head. That contraption fits snugly around the neck. At any detection of empathy, HR yanks the knot tighter.
Want a promotion? Give us more strands of your heart's fiber.
Now sing - Schadenfreude is thy song.
Fascinating that remembering and talking about empathy can promote empathy.
I’ve been coping through acts of kindness. I love your prompts to bring out empathy. Of course, authoritarians use fear and cruelty. Empathy and kindness are the antidote. Thank you for articulating this so clearly!