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Dear Friends,
The warmer temperatures and longer days are adding an extra “spring” to our step at LHM Foundation!
I recently had the chance to lead a discussion on the topic of empathy, one of LHM Foundation’s four core values. I was surprised to learn that the term – something so central to our work – didn’t enter the English language until 1908!
We talk about “empathy,” but what does it really mean?
Empathy is the ability to understand and feel what someone else is feeling, without experiencing it ourselves. It’s the capacity to set aside our own histories, perceptions and biases, and see the world from another person’s perspective – not as we think or expect that they should see it.
Empathy is at the heart of our service of others. Traditional models of service risk creating a hierarchical relationship between the two parties involved, for example a volunteer and a program participant. Infusing empathy into the relationship helps mitigate that risk, with service becoming more about connection, community, and mutual respect, instead of one party swooping in to "save" the other. When we practice empathy, we are observing a person instead of judging them. What kind of day are they having? What’s happening in their life that I don’t know about? Empathy puts us in the other person’s shoes, which helps us to support them more effectively. That benefits everyone.
With gratitude,
Amy
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