The rarity of empathy
I grew up in a school which idolised and preached morals. Sacrifice, empathy, love, gratitude and others were our core values. I consider myself lucky to have this, but sometimes it is like trapping one in an unrealistic bubble. Like an ostrich whose head is in the sand, as my brother-in-law once said.
In this world, people are rough. They always look out for number one. They will gladly steal your place in line, gladly yell at you, gladly cheat you, gladly sacrifice you, not give you credit, take you for granted. This was a rude awakening. Is this just making us soft? Striking a balance is important as well.
Corruption, abuse of power and shady undertakings are not distant. They are found in our own classrooms, families and social groups. Be it an extremely strict teacher or a cousin turned renegade. The people of integrity are often lost in the dust.
I have no advice in this article. I am still figuring it out. How does one keep their morals? How do you stay true to yourself while preventing someone from taking advantage of your 'sacrifice'?
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Ah interesting thought Anjali, and one we all struggle with. Should we practice what might put us at a disadvantage?
ReplyDeleteI'll share my thoughts on this. Clearly these are cherished values - love, empathy, gratitude, sacrifice, integrity - and not easy to practice because they require a lot out of you. Which is why only those who have that strength of character adopt these values and practice them, in what appears to be a losing battle.
But then, it's a choice. And normally it is quite clear to us from the way we are made innately, what our choices are. Do we practice these values and fight a seemingly loaded battle? Or do we join the other side which seems to be having a good, easy time?
It's our choices that make us. And values are choices that show through our behaviors, that impact and influence others quietly through our actions.
My take has been to do what your heart tells you to do, whatever the cost, knowing that sometimes we slip, but that we can always come back as long as we are aware. It is what we choose to put into this world, what we want to see in the world that we need to believe in, to create. And then, even one act, will have an impact towards creating what you want to see.
Reminds me of the story from The Chicken Soup book where this guy is walking along a beach where thousands of starfish have been washed ashore and he picks up the odd one and throws it back into the sea. When asked what difference it makes when thousands are dying, he does not reply, picks up another one, throws it back and says - it made a difference to that one. It is these small choices and acts that make a difference.
That said, you must take care of yourself as that is your first duty (like the airline fellows have so aptly said), and only when you are secure, can you help another truly.
Thanks Anjali, was a thought provoking post. I will explore it more in my blog, or even the column.