Empathy: Part Two (Happy New Year!)

[OneGrassRoot]

Earlier in the week I wrote about empathy and my concern about a lack of empathy in others, specifically my teenage daughter.

Empathy has been so much in my awareness of late, more than usual, so it's interesting that our magickal week together has focused on this as well. She has been writing her college essays, and has chosen to write about an experience we had with a homeless family last year. In talking about her essay (she has felt very "stuck"), it quite organically shifted to the subject of "empathy."

She is pursuing a degree in Drama/Theatre. She's been on this path for a while (though will minor in something more practical. ;)).

In working on the essays, I suggested she feel okay with being empathetic and compassionate (there is indeed an element, I've learned, of feeling vulnerable about expressing those feelings; not good from her perspective, at her age), and that we tie it in with her career path.

Then it hit me. A huge "duh" moment. (She's still sleeping so I'm anxious to see if it resonates with her as well).

To be a good actor, one MUST be empathetic. There is more than the technical skill of acting; to truly embody and embrace a character...their traits, their storyline, their Being...is the mark of a fine actor. It's what helps the audience BELIEVE them...as they become another person.

Well, that's my layperson perspective at least.

It brought our empathy discussion full circle in a way -- for me, at least, as it concerns my daughter.

:)

It has also inspired me to write this, and I thought I'd share:

http://wishadoo.com/wp-2011-the-year-of-compassion-empathy

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

:grouphug:

[laylah]

1. Of course she has

empathy, she is YOUR daughter! I believe your assessment is spot on. I am so happy for the special time you have spent with your daughter.

A Happy and Blessed 2011 to you both.

:hug:

[FirstLight]

2. check this book out!

there's a thread in GD on the front page about collapse of civilization...but the real meat of the op is about humanity changing to adapt to environmental/global issues...(http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=103621&mesg_id=103621 )

one of the sources cited is this book by jeremy rifkin 'the Empathetic Civilization' http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeremy-rifkin/the-empathic-civilization_b_416589.html

there is a related link to read the book online...good stuff!