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: Can you share some examples of how you have shown empathy to others, whether they’re your clients or your family, etc.?
: You know, it’s really interesting. I know one person that actually came down with the virus, which I think is pretty amazing. Thankfully, I’ve only known one person. But it got me to thinking that anybody can get this, so I try to think about other people and how they’re reacting to this whole strange environment we’re in. I have one niece who is by herself. (Well, she has two cats.) That’s very different from my other nieces and nephews who have children around. So, it’s just trying to think about how each of us is responding to our “stay in place” orders and recommendations.
Every day, I send out a message to people saying, “Good morning. How are you doing?”
(I was actually doing this before COVID.) Now, people tell me that getting my note is one thing that makes them feel good, and I notice that they always send a note back to me and thank me for sending the messages. So, I think it works out both ways. I like doing it and people like receiving it. I send a lot of messages out every day to lots of different people (just short notices) and I get back nice notes. I think that’s just a way of keeping the conversation going and letting someone know you care how they’re doing.
: Do you feel like empathy has become more important in this time of the pandemic, increased awareness of social issues, the election, etc.?
: I think it is more important, but I’m wondering about after this is over. Will people have that same feeling? I guess time will tell. I’m hoping we will. If you look at human behavior, it tends to be reinforced by what’s happening currently or in the past. It’ll be interesting to see what changes again.
: Do you have any thoughts on or instances when empathy can be kind of awkward?
: If I know someone, it’s easier to be empathetic, but at the same time, I think about the person working at the grocery store, for example, and all the things they have to put up with. So, I try my very best to make interactions with them easy on both of us. I haven’t had many interactions outside of Zoom, but I try to think of how those retail people are coping with customers because I can imagine it’s pretty difficult.
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