What if Irony is Judging Others for Lacking Empathy?
Let’s say we have goal A.
During our pursuit of goal A,
Let’s say we encounter B.
If we desire to focus solely on A, and
B demands our attention,
B will be perceived as mere obstacle.
If we focus solely on being blocked from achieving our goal,
It can naturally lead to frustration & anxiety.
Yet, if we can shift our perspective,
So as to fully attend to B,
Enough to respect and listen to it,
B just might turn out
To be the proverbial rose
Worth smelling.
Sometimes, other people recognize our strengths and communicate it to us.
Yet, no matter how sincere their communication,
If it’s in regards to an ability we take for granted—
Perhaps even proactively trivialize—
Their sincerity can be perceived as mere flattery or politeness.
This makes it difficult for us to empathize with their sincerity.
Thus, making it difficult for us to discover our own strengths.
People expect leaders to be super human.
Except, we’re human beings like everyone else.
The kind that needs support.
Except, the kind of support we need is often very hard to come by.
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We change our mind & behavior
When we come to have the freedom of choice
We didn’t previously perceive to have had.
Jean valjean stole,
Because he felt like he didn’t have a choice.
Once he did,
He changed.
When we tell others what not to do,
It can threaten what freedom of choice they perceive to have.
This is why our well-intended admonishments are often rejected.
Even when we tell others what to do,
We often stop at presenting options, not choices.
Options that fail to elicit the feeling of freedom.
Thus, this, too, are often rejected.
What master realizers of empathy do, is
Elicit feelings of freedom
In others and ourselves.
When this happens,
With no intention to change,
Change happens
As a byproduct.