Cultivate Empathy and Grow Compassion
Empathy allows us to see the world from another perspective. This practice is important because it essentially lets us step into another's shoes, understand their views, and connect. We need connection now more than ever. Research shows that empathy has been on the decline for quite a while. However, our capacity for empathy and compassion can grow and change for the better with practice. For this reason, it is even more important to model empathy, practice kindness, reach out through volunteering, and read with our children.
– MiaLisa Millares, Executive Director
ACTION
Meditate.
Growing empathy starts with understanding who you are and finding inner peace. Try learning about mindfulness and meditation. Check out these four ways to practice mindfulness by creating your own peaceful mandala, dancing, breathing intentionally, or embracing the outdoors for their calming effect.
Expand Your Circle of Concern.
Check out this lesson which was a collaboration between Doing Good Together™ and Making Caring Common, a project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Volunteer with your Family.
Give back to your community in a unique way that also aligns with your family's interests. Check out the curated family volunteer monthly opportunities in select cities for opportunities to connect with your community.
Find monthly family-friendly volunteering opportunities in ten select U.S. cities.
Connect with Animals.
Are you an animal lover? Practice your empathy skills by helping our four-legged furry friends. Try advocating for endangered animals and their environments. Lift your voice for those that cannot advocate for themselves
Reach Out to Seniors.
Connect with a grandparent or senior in your community by listening, baking, reading, or visiting. It is hard to tell who is the giver and who is the receiver when connection and friendship are the services you are providing. Intergenerational conversations and learning make for a great window into another life, perspective, and time for both parties.
CONVERSATIONS
To cultivate empathy, try shifting some of your typical daily questions (How was your day? Or What did you accomplish today?) to questions that focus more on kindness, feelings, and empathy
How are you feeling today?
What is taking up your mind space?
What was the low and high of your day?
Who did you help today?
Who helped you?
What kindness did you see today?
READ
Reading has been proven to cultivate empathy in children. Read with your children often, and discuss the stories using some of our curated conversation starters to help prompt meaningful, thought-provoking conversations that create connection. Check out some of our book lists on compassion for ideas.
INSPIRATION
"Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It's simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of 'You're not alone'."
― Brené Brown, researcher, author, public speaker