Why the world needs more empathy?

Empathy is not that common and, the world needs more of it. But, how is it going to make a change? How is it different from sympathy? Do we have that in us? Let’s talk about this. But, first, let’s differentiate between the two.

Understanding the difference:

Empathy is when you get into the shoes of the other person. 

Let me put this in a story format: Imagine someone being abused or bullied in your office, school, or college. Empathy is when you remember what it is like to be bullied or abused. You are feeling what the other person is going through.

Whereas, when we talk about sympathy, it is a feeling of pity or sorrow for the other person.

Looks similar, right? But,

Empathy is more intense than sympathy.

My personal views:

Empathy helps in building connections and, plays a huge role in building trust and love among individuals.

1. Think about a beggar or a hungry homeless person. I have seen many people shouting at them, blaming them for their existence. And, this is how we as a society have made this place for them. No one wants to live like that, and they are already having problems. If we can’t be tolerant enough or add value to their lives, we can move out rather than creating more problems. They also have the right to live, just like us. That’s why the world needs more empathy.
2. Let’s talk about creators on Instagram or youtube. I must say that social media is a double-edged sword. Social media gave us an opportunity to connect and learn from each other in this globalized world. Then we have creators who make content for us. Have you ever seen comments on their content? There are many abusive comments. And, sometimes they comment on their families too. Constructive criticism is welcome and that’s how we learn. But, putting so much hate in the comment section clearly reflects our mindset as a society. There’s an option to block or unfollow, please choose that if you don’t like someone. That’s how we can make this world more tolerant. You can always choose what you hear or see. They also have the right to express themselves, just like us. That’s why the world needs more empathy. 
3. Another story is where I have seen people leaving the injured person on the road and continuing with their lives as if nothing happened around them. That’s how some people behave. Would you leave your loved ones like this? No, never. They are also a part of someone’s family, just like us. That’s why the world needs more empathy. 
4. Someone who can’t speak fluent English is often bullied by others. The only option they are left with is to leave that place. They might think they aren’t good enough. English is not a measure of excellence. They also have the right to express themselves, just like us. That’s why the world needs more empathy. 
5. The last one is fat shaming. This is the most common one which we see on social media and real-life as well. People who experience this sometimes end up losing their confidence. They don’t feel good about themselves and this impacts their mental health too. That’s how flawed is the concept of perfect health and that’s why the world needs more empathy. 

Let’s conclude:

I know all are not the same and, we have so many wonderful people among us. This is a short write-up on some real-life experiences to show the importance of empathy. 

Let’s make this world a better place. All of us have different concerns, let’s keep them aside and get into the shoes of another person, feel what they’re going through. That’s how we can make this world a better place. 

This post is not targeted at any particular group or person. These are my personal views. Please feel free to have your own opinion. 

Thank you, for reading this till here.