I would argue that the most important feelings in life are togetherness and connectedness. We can be as rich as Scrooge Mcduck, but if we don’t have any body in our life to share experiences with, we won’t be happy.

lack of empathy in todays society

I am worried that communities are losing their spirits. There are more liquor stores and less parks. More food outlets and less schools. More serious crime and less sporting events. Many of us don’t know our neighbours and are too scared to let our kids out on the street. When communities lose their spirit, we become more individualised. When we are more individualised we become disconnected from our community.

The further we are disconnected, the harder it is for us to understand other people’s situations and the harder it is for them to understand ours. Imagine how hard it would be for a well off full time male to understand the plight of a struggling single mum who can’t keep on top of bills. When I read online news articles, the single mum will be blamed by the rich for having a kid when she couldn’t afford it or not making the right decisions to get good income. I see this type of comment every week. It is disgusting and embarrassing judgemental behaviour.

These types of comments show a lack of empathy. Instead of asking “why couldn’t you make better decisions?”, we should be asking “how can I understand?” We don’t know what has happened in their life. Ignorance is not bliss. She could have a family member that requires full time care. She could be a recovering alcoholic. She could be in an abusive relationship. She could have grown up in extremely difficult circumstances. There could be a myriad of reasons for someone to be struggling financially. Sure, some people are in a position due to their own actions, but many others are in their position through no fault of their own.

Good decisions do not always equal good outcomes. Life is not always in our control. Life is not black and white.

The further we are disconnected from someone the harder it is to show empathy. Not until I put my back out did I start to have empathy for people with bad backs. I thought only unfit people hurt their backs. At the time I was very fit, running half marathons and playing sports.

Not until I started volunteering did I have empathy for low income families. Not until we experienced an awful pregnancy did I have empathy for expectant mothers. Not until we had a baby did I feel sorry for the mother of a crying baby on the airplane. It is through experiences that we gain empathy. Without these experiences, it is hard to understand other situations and what people are going through.

Why is empathy so important?

• Employers that are empathetic are more likely to have an engaged workforce.
  

• Empathetic people tend to be more socially aware. Social awareness is a leading indicator in someone’s ability to earn higher income.
  

• A marriage without empathy is likely to fail.
  

• Life without empathy means a life without friends and family.
  

• Empathy builds friendships and relationships. It brings us closer together and we can achieve more together than we can alone.
  

• Empathy allows us to help those who most need it. Not letting people get left behind. A more empathetic community would result in less crime and poverty.

Final Thoughts

We are all in different stages in life with some of us nearing the top of the mountain and others stuck on the bottom. We need the people at the top to stop pitying those on the bottom and start helping. Whereas those on the bottom need to stop being jealous of those on the top and start learning.

We all need to feel understood. Not only is it one of the most basic human needs, it is also how we connect with one another. We all need to have our specialness reflected back in the eyes of others in order to see it ourselves. Every one of us has the power to do this. When we empower others, we can collectively come together to be our best selves and change the world for the better. When we have connections, we are at our happiest.

A family living in poverty with extremely close connections will be happier than a rich man with no relationships.

I know I talk a lot about money, but I just wanted to reiterate that health and relationships are more important than any amount of money.  Building relationships is what will truly lead to an enriched life.

Have a great christmas and I hope many of you get a break from work and time to spend with friends and family. Be safe and merry, and I’ll see you back here in two weeks - same bat time same bat channel.

The information contained on this site is the opinion of the individual author(s) based on their personal opinions, observation, research, and years of experience. The information offered by this website is general education only and is not meant to be taken as individualised financial advice, legal advice, tax advice, or any other kind of advice. You can read more of my disclaimer here

Do you have any stories of empathy? Or perhaps someone that showed no empathy at all? How did that make you feel?