Liz Warren | Storyteller

Empathy by Carol Bedner

Webster's definition of "empathy" is the action of being understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts and experiences of another past or present.
 
I heard on NPR that there is a test for empathy and whether we have a high or low dimension.  The lack of empathy does not lead to cruelty but low empathy can result in  a negative impact on others.  I read that stories and movies are thought of as an escape from life but they can also draw us more deeply into life.  The best ones help us understand other people and help us empathize to understand what it would be to belong to another race, culture, time in history or walk in life.
 
The stories told by storytellers fill the cup of empathy so well.  Everything you hear is a learning and growing experience.  Plus it has been an enlightening pass to open up our world.  I think one of the side benefits is that you become a better listener to the stories that are around us all the time.  Is this how we develop our empathy?

6 responses to “Empathy by Carol Bedner”

  1. Laura Rutherford Avatar
    Laura Rutherford

    Nice Carol! I think that the primary function of sharing stories is emotional linkage or empathy. To walk in someone elses shoes for a time and feel what they felt.

    Reply
  2. Clem W. Condon Avatar
    Clem W. Condon

    Very good Carol. As an interested listener we do become emotionally involved with the teller. A kinship is developed and we leave looking into ourselves for that link and our story that connects us.

    Reply
  3. Mark Goldman Avatar
    Mark Goldman

    Well done Carol, and this may be the reason why – from an article on brainwave research: “When a person tells a story and another person actively listens, their brains actually begin to synchronize.” Here is the link: http://www.careerrocketeer.com/2011/01/brain-research-shows-the-power-of-storytelling-in-the-job-search.html

    Reply
  4. Sandi Howlett Avatar
    Sandi Howlett

    Carol, I really like the juxtaposition you pose that while we may read stories to ‘escape’, they may well also be pulling us more into life. I had never thought of that before…and it makes so much sense! Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Maya Avatar
    Maya

    Carol,
    Yes, I find empathy builds so much with story. I just received a story from one of the men I have met in prison. Wow! I barely know him, but reading his story opens my heart and I feel close to him, not to mention the honor I feel to have him trust me with his story.

    Reply
  6. Peggy Babbitt Avatar
    Peggy Babbitt

    Carlo we do need empathy to build on story and to see what other are going through in life. I see how stories show different view points and we can escape into a story.

    Reply

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