Filling the voids in the world

"What does this world need more of"? This question came up last week and to be honest with you, I was having a lot of trouble writing about it. It was due to letting anger control my emotions on this subject. I do believe there are a lot of things this world needs more of right now, but the one thing I think it could use most of all is Empathy. Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. I do not understand what has happened, but empathy for our fellow human beings seems to be happening less and less as each day passes.

My mom taught the lessons of empathy to my brothers, sister and myself as we were growing up and I truly believe it was one of the most important lessons I have ever learned. I try to honor my mom by working at teaching my kids the same lessons everyday and also by trying my best to live with empathy in my mind, heart and soul. Not always successful, but I don't think any of us are. 

I think back from my interview podcast with Stefano. I think about listening to him tell the stories of growing up with civil war and under a dictatorship and I say to myself, man we are so lucky. His story tells me to think differently and realize I have no idea what the person I see standing in front of me has gone through in life. I need to practice reserving judgement until I have understood and share the feelings of another.   

I'm glad I came back to this question and happier that I was able to pivot my attitude and feelings away from anger. Understanding and compassion feel so much better.