How Can Empathy Shape Your Values?

One of the most underrated concepts that most peopleoverlook is approaching life from an empathetic standpoint.

Despite our best intentions, it is not always that we live bythis ethical code that is deeply embedded in all of us.

Much of my writings are geared to logical approaches to aan overwhelming world and this is definitely no exception. I don't want to underestimate the importance of thisconcept because I feel it is so extremely powerful.

It is quite intriguing to me that this world is made up of somany beautiful, yet so many diluted and unscrupulous,minds. Obviously, people are not born with certainpersonality deficiencies, as much of it is learned behaviors.

To intimately understand and comprehend another'sfeelings, thoughts, and motives is much of what empathyresonates.

However, this is easier said than done. An awesome way totruly understand your own set of values, is to genuinelyapproach life indiscrimanently with this viewpoint.

So how can empathy really help design a system of higherand lower values so easily?

It is just like the Golden Rule says, treat everyone like youwould want to be treated.

Would you want to be belittled constantly? No. Wouldyou want to be disregarded by others? No. Does beingdisrespected hurt? Yes.

Temporarily plant your mind into another's and attempt tounderstand their plights.

Although you may say, Brian, why should I always respectpeople when most of them have no respect for othersanyway?

If our entire world treated each other in this manner, mosteveryone would have contempt for everyone else.

By taking a stroll in someone else's shoes when dealingwith all people; you automatically detach from the verylearned narcissism we all are accustomed to and approachyour relationships more positively and kinder.

In my humble opinion, it is by far the most selfless way toapproach ones life, so to deny its significance woulddefinitely be wrong!

By understanding how you would like to be treated andconvert this mindset over to how others should be treated,then a solid foundation for how your own values can bebuilt upon.

This, in turn, assists in shaping what is truly important towhat is merely nonsensical. Having an empathetic mindsetadds clarity and purity as opposed to being caught up in aselfish tunnel of me and more me.

Certainly, we are all going to have our transgressions, butthis approach will limit them and yield more piece of mind,that your intentions towards others are not to be harmful,but harmless.

Without a doubt, you will always encounter people whosimply do not care about your feelings, only their own. Don't let these people derail your good intentions.

Try to always stay in this mindset. It will surely be criticalto your mental health. I know this may sound like somesermon, but think of the alternative mindset and thenegativity attached to it.

Of course it's difficult to respect anyone who blatantlydisrespects you, but this doesn't mean you should approachlife so negatively.

By sending a message to others that you respect them as ahuman being and not some tangible object standing beforethem, you naturally disarm their defenses, and beginspeaking to the most real part of them.

Wanting to have a good heart and treating people withdignity is something we should all strive for on a consistentbasis.

If this uptempo world is to progress, we all need to do ourpart by approaching it empathetically and continue to formour values in accordance to this mindset.

--by Brian Maloney-ValuePrep.com
Want to improve your personal values?
Get high-quality-relationship advice for guys and gals from a 'Logical' standpoint. Visit ValuePrep - Relationship Advice.

**Attn Ezine editors / Site Owners**
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your website as long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.

PsychCentral.com

Optimal conversation lowers stress in relationships Times of India Young couples who easily engage in rewarding conversations with their partners, experience less relationship stress and higher satisfaction, say researchers. According to research from Kansas State University, young adults who have optimal conversation ... Going With the Flow of Talk Brings Couples CloserPsychCentral.com all 12 news articles »

Relationships, communication theme of Friday's Warner Robins council retreat Macon Telegraph (blog) After ending at 7 pm Friday, the retreat will continue Saturday from 8 am to 3:30 pm OV Brantley, a former attorney for Fulton County governmental bodies, told council members their internal relationships are important to strong operations and images. and more »

CBC.ca

Depression Linked To Adolescent Bullying Medical News Today "Often the assumption is that problematic peer relationships drive depression. We found that depression symptoms predicted negative peer relationships. We examined the issue from both directions but found no evidence to suggest that peer relationships ... Depressed Adolescents More Likely to be BulliedPsychCentral.com Depressed adolescents likelier to be bulliedTimes of India Depressed adolescents more likely to be targets of bullying: StudyHealthJockey.com U.S. News & World Report -Expatriate Healthcare all 46 news articles »

Cara Dorris '15: The fiction of relationship? The Brown Daily Herald Most people will tell you that there are two types of relationships at Brown: rigid, Facebook-official romances and hurried, efficient and occasionally chronic hookups. Though there are exceptions, most of us brag that we're too busy, even too selfish ... and more »

Healthy relationship examples crucial for youth, experts say Maxwell Gunter Dispatch In the race to stop domestic violence, educating children before they date can provide the awareness for healthy relationships when they become adults. In the crucial years before youth start dating, parents and peers impact children's perceptions of ... and more »

The Link Between Obesity and the Early Mother-Child Relationship The Atlantic Instead of focusing on the body's energy balance, the researchers suggest improving the mother-toddler relationship, often called attachment. The researchers explored the effect of maternal-child bonding during the preschool years on the likelihood of ... and more »

Relationships Art Exhibit at the SCAHC Gallery in Sussex NorthJersey.com (press release) In the Relationships Art Exhibit, the Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council is asking artists to explore, well, relationships—any relationship. And what seems to be a traditional subject for art can prove to have numerous possibilities when viewed ... and more »

Love Triangles: And Kitty Makes Three Patch.com When pets and relationships collide, there are better answers than dumping one of the feuding parties. This shorthair cat is available for adoption from the Santa Monica Animal Shelter. For more information, contact Sharon Hardy, owner of Sweet Potato ... and more »

Jamie Kennedy Talks Relationships, Valentine's Day Plans and Playing 'Cupid ... Hollywood Reporter As for his research of the role, the actor joked, "I went to Zales," before admitting, "I think I've been in enough relationships that that was my research." Not that he claims to know what he's doing. "Being in all of my relationships, I'm even more ... and more »

At NRC Hearing, Signs Of Improving Relationships Fox Business However, it offered several hints that personal relationships on the five-member commission may be improving less than two months after they boiled over at a pair of congressional hearings. The tensions have raised questions about the nuclear safety ... and more »