Conversare – empathy experienced

This note is written in a context of chaos – at least this is how it feels to me. Our house is full of cardboard boxes scavenged locally for the purpose of packing up our worldly goods to transport them to our new home in a couple of days time. For we are moving out of the CBD (central business district) of Adelaide where we having been living since our return from six happy years based in Hong Kong in 2011. And going to a suburb called Semaphore which is by the seaside.

In the midst of this Christmas day was most enjoyable mainly through participating in a lovely gathering entitled ‘Waifs and Strays’ at our local community centre. This was for people who have no family locally. Truly wondrous were stories shared among those who saw this get together as an opportunity to be among kindred spirits.  Some of these accounts I found to be most poignant, particularly of family breakups.  My sense was that this gathering was a special time to feel and to express empathy.

These thoughts written here are prompted by this experience which brought to mind that:

All living is meeting.
Martin Buber

What attracts people most it would appear, is other people.
William H. Whyte

And …

Roman Krznaric: An empathy revolution
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/ramon-krznaric/5934626

• Listen now
• Download audio

Wednesday 24 December 2014 9:05AM

“Are you empathetic? Do you have the imaginative ability to step into the shoes of another to try and understand what they are feeling or perceiving? It’s an ability that is quite different from feeling sympathetic or sorry for another person.

Philosopher and author Roman Krznaric argues that empathy is in decline but, he says, we need it in abundance if societies are to flourish.” (my emphasis)

Could your making time to listen be well spent?

Not least, perhaps, to recognise that Conversare style get togethers are one powerful way of bringing empathy back into widespread consciousness – and practice!

Watch this space for a potentially amazing development in the new year which could bring this about.

In the meantime here’s a lively song about ‘Talk to Strangers’ to enjoy. <smile>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ5UcbZBGqM

With good wishes for whatever is just around the corner for you in 2015.

Go well

Alan

Alan Stewart
Adelaide