Etude #1: Spring
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“Empathy isn't just something that happens to us - a meteor shower of synapses firing across the brain - it's also a choice we make: to pay attention, to extend ourselves. It's made of exertion, that dowdier cousin of impulse. Sometimes we care for another because we know we should, or because it's asked for, but this doesn't make our caring hollow. This confession of effort chafes against the notion that empathy should always rise unbidden, that genuine means the same thing as unwilled, that intentionality is the enemy of love. But I believe in intention and I believe in work. I believe in waking up in the middle of the night and packing our bags and leaving our worst selves for our better ones.”
― Leslie Jamison, The Empathy Exams
<2>
Turns out it was a really good time to be rereading The Empathy Exams. Everything is utterly bewildering right now and I know people are scared. But yesterday in the supermarket I saw people my age walking around with trolleys piled high with goods, while elderly people held sparsely filled baskets looking at empty shelves. Please please please just buy what you need. By hoarding, you could be directly taking away from people in more vulnerable positions. There is a difference between being vigilant and prepared, and being selfish. There’s never been a better time to make a case for intentional empathy. Let’s be our better selves!!! (also read this book) (and practice social distancing) (and wash ur hands)
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Yesterday was the first day of the spring.
“Empathy isn't just something that happens to us - a meteor shower of synapses firing across the brain - it's also a choice we make: to pay attention, to extend ourselves. It's made of exertion, that dowdier cousin of impulse. Sometimes we care for another because we know we should, or because it's asked for, but this doesn't make our caring hollow. This confession of effort chafes against the notion that empathy should always rise unbidden, that genuine means the same thing as unwilled, that intentionality is the enemy of love. But I believe in intention and I believe in work. I believe in waking up in the middle of the night and packing our bags and leaving our worst selves for our better ones.”
― Leslie Jamison, The Empathy Exams
<2>
Turns out it was a really good time to be rereading The Empathy Exams. Everything is utterly bewildering right now and I know people are scared. But yesterday in the supermarket I saw people my age walking around with trolleys piled high with goods, while elderly people held sparsely filled baskets looking at empty shelves. Please please please just buy what you need. By hoarding, you could be directly taking away from people in more vulnerable positions. There is a difference between being vigilant and prepared, and being selfish. There’s never been a better time to make a case for intentional empathy. Let’s be our better selves!!! (also read this book) (and practice social distancing) (and wash ur hands)
.
.
Yesterday was the first day of the spring.
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