This week, there has been some jack-hammering going on in my neighborhood. The construction project is a couple doors down, but I would swear they were right outside my house. The way the sound invaded my stomach and the dogs reacted, you would have thought the crew had taken to my driveway.
It’s reminiscent of when an event takes place far from your location or personal experience, but you are moved by it nonetheless. You can feel a person’s pain without encountering the trauma. Be outraged without personal confrontation. Saddened by circumstances not confronted.
Empathy is commonplace lately, especially when it’s geared toward outrage. As a matter of fact, I would venture to say that people have conditioned themselves toward the negative, reaching for the news that pisses them off or gets their panties in a bunch.
Some people find the familiarity of anger comforting…sharing the rage as a form of fellowship.
Having lived with the “monkey of anger” on my back much of my younger years, I believed it provided a sense of power, purpose and reason. It was a comfortable spot for me to wallow and judge accordingly. Such a fool.
Am I saying anger isn’t required or understandable at times? No. But, if you have entertained it, it can seep into your marrow, leading to impared reactions or decisions.
The interesting thing about the word empathy is that it merely means there is a capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing…any feeling. Imagine getting better at celebrating and sharing in other’s joy, success, health, good news, etc.
What are we becoming when we fester in agreement over topics that frustrate?
WIth so many different emotions available to us, we should strive to choose one other than anger.
It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
It’s freedom.
Love you, friends! ❤ Have a great weekend!
“There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and what they cannot.” – Plato
“It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” -Proverbs 20:3
Toni L. Harty 