EMPATHY

N kavya

The term “empathy” is used to describe a wide range of experiences. Emotion researchers generally define empathy as the ability to sense other people’s emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling. The term “empathy” is used to describe a wide range of experiences. Emotion researchers generally define empathy as the ability to sense other people’s emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling.

Contemporary researchers often differentiate between two types of empathy: “Affective empathy” refers to the sensations and feelings we get in response to others’ emotions; this can include mirroring what that person is feeling or just feeling stressed when we detect another’s fear or anxiety. “Cognitive empathy,” sometimes called “perspective taking,” refers to our ability to identify and understand other people’s emotions. Studies suggest that people with autism spectrum disorders have a hard time empathizing.

Empathy seems to have deep roots in our brains and bodies, and our evolutionary history. Elementary forms of empathy have been observed in our primate relatives, in dogs, and even in rats. Empathy has been associated with two different pathways in the brain, and scientists have speculated that some aspects of empathy can be traced to mirror neurons, cells in the brain that fire when we observe someone else act in much the same way that they would fire if we performed that action ourselves. Research has also uncovered evidence of a genetic basis for empathy, though studies suggest that people can enhance (or restrict) their natural empathic abilities.

Having empathy doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll want to help someone in need, though it’s often a vital first step toward compassionate action.

Empathy manifests in education as well as between teachers and students. Empathy becomes difficult when there are differences between people regarding culture, language, skin color, gender, and age. Empathy is considered a motivating factor for unselfish behavior. Lack of empathy is similar to antisocial behavior. Empathy develops deep roots in our brains, as our evolutionary history. Having empathy does not mean that a person is willing to help someone. It is an essential step toward compassionate action.

Empathy forms one of the most critical components of creating harmonious relationships. It reduces stress and enhances emotional awareness. People are well attuned to their feelings and emotions. Getting into someone’s head can be challenging at times. People tend to be empathetic when they listen to what others have to say. It makes an individual overwhelmed by tragic incidents. Empathy can make an individual concerned about the well-being of another individual.

Empathy helps to make an individual a better person. By understanding what people are thinking and feeling, people can respond appropriately. Social connections build up as a result of empathy. It helps in both physical and psychological well-being. Empathizing with others helps to regulate a person’s own emotions. It helps an individual to manage his feelings even at times of great stress.

Empathy helps a person to engage themselves in helpful behaviors. Not everyone experiences empathy. Some people may be more naturally empathetic than others. How a person perceives another person can influence empathy to a great extent. Being empathetic toward others will help to understand others’ suffering and create harmony in the world.

Key aspects of empathy -:


1. In the absence of empathy, relationships remain shallow.
2. Empathy does not form a part of intuition; it is about understanding others.
3. Empathy is a learned behavior.
4. The capacity of being empathetic to another person depends on each individual.
5. Empathetic people tend to help others more.
6. Painkillers can reduce your capacity of being empathetic toward other people.
7. Anxiety and tension can influence empathy to a great extent.
8. An individual can heighten their empathy through meditation.
9. All humans are inclined toward empathizing with others in their pain and suffering.
10. A genetic defect can reduce an individual’s empathy.

Empathy can be learned and practiced. It is a vital aspect of our everyday lives. It enables an individual to show compassion. It helps to relate to other people, relatives, colleagues, and loved ones and helps to impact the world positively. Some people are born with empathy while some learn it and can increase or decrease it. It is a part of emotional intelligence, which can be taught to children at a very early stage. Children can be taught to be empathetic by sharing their things and not hurting others.

Death as a lesson

Most would agree with me when I say, Steve Jobs was one of the most brilliant people, who went on to become an innovator and entrepreneur and a co-founder of Apple then worked for Pixar too.

Today, for the first time, I watched a motivating speech given by him.

What he said, and how he said is no doubt invaluable. But the points he made is what makes it so great, making it an inspiring array of words aimed for people from all walks of life.

Perhaps that is the reason, this video on YouTube had more than 1.3 crore views. And this was not even the original one, it had been edited to create a story. But the lessons he has learnt and the three stories he told made all the difference.

We all know the successful reviews of Apple company from their over priced gadgets which no doubt never fail to deliver what they promise. But the penance behind it’s creation is perhaps more interesting to know and yet many are not aware of it.

From what I understood, Jobs talked of circumstances that lead you to a place. The dots that you can connect months, years or sometimes even decades. He also talked of failure as a teacher, and the lessons it teaches.

Now all of these were a good expressions of wisdom, because most of would have heard of it or have been told about while growing up. In some cases, you must have felt them to be true as well.

But the last one, the quote that he read at the age of 17, which impacted him for the next 33 years when he gave the speech and probably till his death 5 years later.

If you live each day as if it were your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.”

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He questioned himself every morning, if he was going to do the things he would be doing if it were his last?

And facing yourself in the mirror when you answer. Because everything we do daily has an impact for the rest of our lives.

Living our life as a boon, living each moment as if it is the last will no doubt make us more happy if not more successful. Because then you are free of all the chains that bind your potential. The fears and thoughts that hinder your growth.

You are not only less self conscious (as you have few hours left to live) but you become an outgoing individual. You grab the chances, even the unseen opportunities that come your way.

You live the day to its fullest.

Carpe Diem becomes your mantra. Keeps you going through the ups and downs.

Just look at what Jobs managed to do all by himself. There are countless other people who have managed to become great personalities despite the troubles they had to live through.

And that my friend is how you can unlock your true potential. Wishing you all the very best all of your life’s endeavours.

Image source : Google

CARL ROGERS THEORY OF SELF

CARL ROGERS

He was an American psychologist born in 1902 , who took the humanistic approach to psychotherapy. According to Rogers every individual has tendency to actualize himself. According to him mentally healthy individuals have congruence between self and their experience.

According to him every person has the tendency to actualize themselves and a mentally healthy individual have congruence between their experience and their self concept. Neurotic individual deny their sensory and emotional experience. There are two concepts related to this;

REAL SELF

Real self is what we truly are. It is important for good psychological health. Self image directly affects how a person feels, thinks and acts in this world. Real self is our inner personality who is aware about their strength and weakness. It may not be perfect but it is our real part.

IDEAL SELF

It is what desire to be. It represents our ambitious and goals. By ideal self , Rogers meant some goals which are beyond our capabilities. This causes gap between real and ideal self.

If ideal self and real self are alike our self concept is accurate. High congruence between real self and ideal self leads to greater sense of self worth and a healthy productive life and if there is incongruence between them it leads to maladjustment.

INSPIRATION LEADS TO SUCCESS.

Inspiration can come from anywhere, it’s something that makes you want to change in your life for the better, or someone who pushes you or set’s an example, or someone that makes you think about your life and how you want to change it.

My inspiration was my envy! Yes you heard it right. Growing up as a student was a challenging task. A child is vulnerable during this stage of life. The influence which the social sphere lay’s on them is very overwhelming. A child is born as an empty slate with capabilities; that child becomes a well adjusted individual by manifesting the potential they possess in a right way.

Let me share my piece of story. My experience as a student was, I lacked the quality of confidence and was not motivated enough to perform well in my desire area of interest, Literature. Every year mu school use to host English Recitation Competition in which I wanted to participate and win, but didn’t had the grit to admit my self into the competition. My teacher who always encouraged every student to exploit their potential advised me,“Winning doesn’t matter, what matter is participating”. That piece of encouragement was sufficient to to kick start my journey in search of my confidence aand winning that competition. I participated in the competition but I lose I was disheartened but was determine to win next year, but again success was not on my side and that’s when envy came into the frame. I was envious towards the winners and compared myself with them not releasing I was demotivating my own self. Consequently I observed the winners in the following years analyzing their ploy and instructed myself if they can do it why can’t I! I worked on my language skills and hand gestures evently advancing in the reciting tactics. I made the winners my model and changed my envious attitude into a matured one, which helped me to boost my motivation. This changes helped me to win the competition after a consistent failures in the past years. That’s when I learnt “INSPIRATION LEADS TO SUCCESS”

AN IDLE LIFE IS AN EARLY DEATH

An idle life is an early death. It means wasting time and doing nothing, life without an aim and lack of ambitions. Scientifically it’s proved that an idle life leads to physical incapabilities and mental disorders.

“A SOUL WITHOUT A HIGH AIM , IS LIKE A SHIP WITHOUT A RUDDER.”

The meaning of the above quote is , a ship has a rudder which helps it to turn it into a particular direction, same way a person should set a high aim in life and should be courageous enough to achieve that goal through the path they choose. Each one of us have been equipped with unique abilities and sensibilities, they have the power within them they just need to manifest that power to achieve their desired goal. To contribute something positive in the society one needs to understand they just don’t need to be active but to be proactive to display the difference they have and make in the community.

Mankind has always been inclined towards growth, but only a significant individual are able to leave their footprint on the sand. Their capabilities reflects in their personality, who didn’t choose to live an idle life but are capable to make difference in life to benefit the future generations. Our great leaders, freedom fighters, philosophers, scientists and many more who contributed to the humankind. They didn’t get dusted away in the flow of time but become immortal by their virtues , rightly termed as ‘live in deeds, not in years.’

We the present generation should look upto this great pioneer and get aspirations from them so we also don’t lead an idle life and contribute great work to humanity so we don’t get lost in the flow of time.