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The Gift of Empathy
Nicole Clark
Paralegal Allstate
Empathy is expressed in many ways. It can be a shoulder to cry on,
an ear to listen, a suggested podcast, a colleague asking if you are okay, or
an employer making adjustments because they understand your circumstances. Being there for a person – really being there and being present in that moment, to notice and listen to someone regardless of what they are expressing – is empathy. Showing empathy doesn’t require you to know a person; just that you hear the words they are saying.
I am a working mom with a husband and two young children (1st grade and 6th grade). Being a woman and having multi-cultural children allows me to see that all people are not presented with the same opportunities. It is important to acknowledge and be uncomfortable with the lack of equality surrounding us. As a white woman in her 40’s, recognizing that I am more likely to be accepted, hired, and/or promoted over a black or minority woman is necessary for me to show empathy towards what others are facing. Having empathy around inclusion, diversity, and equality allows me to support change for the future through educating myself and my children on how our behavior and actions impact our community and world.
I am very fortunate that our family has not suffered from job loss, income changes, food insecurities, etc. I work for an organization that went from 5,000 designated remote workers to approximately 80,000 remote workers and that has truly cared for and supported employees’ personal wellbeing and new family/school structure. During these unprecedented times, Allstate has provided free learning opportunities, personal growth seminars, lifeworks counseling sessions, and more to all employees and their family members. This support reminds me that there are so many who don’t have the same opportunities and circumstances. As we look outside our homes, empathy allows us to be cognizant of the realities that others are experiencing as well as their needs, which might be very different from our own.
The gift of empathy is free! Each of us can show it and give it. I am encouraged by the ways communities, organizations, and individuals have chosen to rise up, to take a moment to pause and embrace the differences in what each of us is feeling, experiencing, and bringing to the table. One person lending a hand of understanding and acceptance can transcend our differences and bring us closer together. You never know the positive impact empathy will have on someone. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving.
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