• Apr 17, 2023
In a recent discussion with a friend, we both talked about how the other is an inspiration for us. Hearing these words of affirmation can feel weird, especially when you don’t understand how you can be an inspiration, or if you have never in your life heard it before.
Or finally reached a point in your life where you start to feel maybe it is possible.
We all want to feel like our presence makes a difference for someone. It does. You may not know it at the time. You may never know you made a difference; how that simple greeting and an acknowledgement of how they feel impacts them.
Empathy feels so undervalued these days.
Being able to identify with and even understand the emotion another person is feeling and giving them a chance to feel their feelings are valued gives us a chance to build each other up.
We don’t need to understand WHY they are feeling that way or even agree with it. We just need to acknowledge how they feel and those feelings are valid. If you ever want to have an argument with someone, tell them they are over-reacting or frigid because they are not feeling what you think they should,
Whether it is your friend you have known for your entire life or someone you just met 2 minutes ago, make that interaction memorable — we have no idea what he other person is experiencing in their life, and the kindness we show may be the thing that helps them at that moment. Being empathetic and kind even when you don’t think they deserve it may be infuriating at the time, but it provides a path to healing later.
A smile is free. Give one. Get one.