Connection With Empathy & Compassion

Aug. 27, 2020

My love of connection has driven my interest in human nature/behavior for a long time now. I have been asked a lot how I connect and network so well with others, and so I wanted to share my thoughts specifically in regard to empathy and compassion, which is what makes a connection more meaningful.

The key to connecting well with others actually is about them, not you. That’s why you ask friends how they are doing, and about topics relevant to them. And by listening to their response, you can ask better questions, and be ready to give and take. This way you’re able to create thoughts about the person more accurately and develop a more meaningful connection if you desire.

By giving attention it helps lead you to being empathetic, or even deeper, compassionate. Empathy is being able to listen well so we can understand the other person’s perspective and emotions. Compassion is when empathy includes a desire to be there more for the person — more helpful.

True, meaningful compassion asks a lot from us because we have to dive into a place where feelings of vulnerability and loneliness live. Often times those feelings brings a certain level of suffering to our minds because of the way we emotionally connect. This can happen on less deep level with empathy as well. This is why it's common to either turn away, and not react or respond at times.

This is also why we don't respond to people asking how we are, and people showing love sometimes. Of course there are plenty of times we just don't care enough about person asking to let them know, but also we shy away from anything that could make unwanted feelings and emotions from the past emerge again (this is why we choose a close friendship circle to trust).

The reason some people have trouble with empathy and authentic compassion is because it’s natural to want to “run” or find a cure and happy place instead of going to a place of suffering. And because we don't want that chance of going to a place of suffering we don’t often find ourselves as empathetic and compassionate about others as we could be, or should be. That’s why it’s better to just start with being kind.

Then if you decide to interact more with someone, you can show more empathy and compassion, going further than just kindness.

Empathy and compassion helps to inspire others. And by creating a meaningful connection with empathy and compassion we can find happiness for ourselves as well.

That’s how we create better in our world, and the world around us. Connection with empathy and compassion.