Shambhavi Kumari
We all must have heard this word in our value education classes when we were kids. It is
one of the most important values—which is rare these days. Let me begin by defining
empathy. It is the ability of a person to understand others’ feelings or emotions by stepping
into their shoes and being compassionate towards them. In one way, it is the ability to
console a person without showing pity or sympathy towards them. It means understanding
why a person is behaving in a certain way by exchanging your position instead of giving an
instant opposite reaction.
I would like to prove my point with an example. Let’s say I am going through a bad phase in
life and I get angry with my friend. If my friend is empathetic, he will try to understand the
reason or the state of my mind by putting himself in my shoes instead of judging me or
forming preconceived notions about me. It is one of the unique qualities that makes us
human in the truest sense and sets us apart from other creatures—otherwise, even animals
are mammals.
It is important because it helps us communicate in a better way and makes us someone
people can turn to. It’s a quality that is rare and should be inculcated from childhood. It helps
build stronger relationships and can make even unknown people a part of our lives, just
through this one trait—because everyone likes to be treated with love and care, right?
Here I would like to bring my own experience to light. When I entered Gargi, I was scared to
interact with anyone, but because of the empathetic support of my professor, I adjusted
really well, and it changed my perspective altogether. Trust me, it’s an amazing feeling when
someone is there to understand you and take care of your emotions in an unfamiliar space.
Empathy ensures the development of all with compassion and love, which is very necessary
in today’s world. It is something that is often confused with sympathy, but the two are very
different. Sympathy is when you show pity; empathy is when you are there to listen without
showing that the other person is in a deplorable state. This is something that needs to be
noticed and practiced wisely.
In conclusion, I would like to say: let’s be empathetic and create a better space for all.
