Empathy is one of VSV’s four core values.
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Put simply, it’s walking a mile in someone’s shoes.
Last year I was fortunate to walk the Camino de Santiago – an ancient pilgrimage walk across northern Spain.
There were many times on the walk, spanning more than 750 kilometres, where I witnessed empathy. Words of encouragement and support to fellow pilgrims up a steep hill. Conversations with strangers that lead to a better understanding of their country and culture. Or a fellow pilgrim generously sharing a valuable blister band aid with others whose supplies were running low.
While empathy was abundant on the Camino de Santiago, I wondered if this reflected the world beyond the trail.
It turns out, it does.
The numbers are in, and empathy is officially on the rise.
Findings from a major survey conducted by researchers at Edith Cowan University suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic sparked an increase in compassion and empathy across Australia.
A study at the University of Notre Dame also ran a study among thousands of younger adults. It found that empathy has been increasing among Young Americans since 2008, almost rising to levels similar to the highs of the 1970s.
An important finding in this study is that empathy changes over time. It goes in cycles. It can go up and down.
Let’s work together to continue this upward trend.
One way to do this is by following the advice of one of our amazing teachers, Jemina:
‘Life can be rough on us, but the more people who show unconditional kindness and warmth to others, the better the world will become.'”
A better world is all we can hope for.
