Empathy is at the core of activism. These words were spoken by Steve Hartman in his piece that is presented on CBS Mornings. If you have not watched any of these videos take some time to do so. Steve and his children do a good job of presenting kindnesses that folks do for one another. (https://www.cbsnews.com/feature/kindness-101-steve-hartman/)

Empathy is simply awareness of the plight of others. In current times the political realm uses the term woke and uses that word as a pejorative. There is nothing wrong with being an empath even though some would have you believe otherwise.

At the height of our political season, in among all the name-calling, empathy for others healthcare situations seems lacking. Pick a topic; reproductive rights, gender affirmation, restroom use, pharmaceutical costs, mental health, insulin prices, Affordable Care Act, weight loss or gun rights – all have become political. There is emphasis without empathy.

At the same time regular people simply trying to get along in life in poor situations in other countries are disparaged for wanting to come to the United States. As Pres. Reagan called it, the shining city on the hill. We are fortunate. We are here. On the south there is a river, a desert, a fence, a wall to keep people out. There is also overwhelming empathy for those coming here by many who live nearby and border patrol officers. Walk-ins sit and wait to be picked up. And others attempting to become our leadership are denigratory in their depiction of the reasons for the migration and are actively contemptuous of those coming here.

There is little empathy displayed by some of those vying for great office. Leadership without empathy is elitist.

Altruism in leadership produces consequence. Without it another guy is merely getting financially rich by gaming the system (whatever that means). Altruism and empathy are not manifest by tearing down and name calling. Altruism and empathy are manifest by describing policy gaps and ways to correct them. (Holy Cow! I fell down the political rabbit hole.)

If I learned anything by being care partner to Cheryl, it was altruism and empathy. (in addition to love, sympathy, emotional comfort and a vast range of other emotions) Of course, she was my whole focus while she was here. Now that she is not I see other self serving ideas and effacing attitudes towards others that are pervasive in our culture. I had to put her comfort first. Comforting others without being intrusive is part of my new “more”.

“Me. Me. Me.”, he said. There is no grace in focusing on yourself above others.

If our culture emphasized empathy, altruism and an outward view towards the greater good, what heights could we achieve?

Carpe Diem.